Congress rips into PM Modi's ‘Huglomacy' after Trump's G7 exit, questions silence on Pak outreach

Indian Express

3 hours ago

The Congress has seized on US President Donald Trump's decision to leave the G7 summit in Canada a day early, calling the move a 'setback for self‑styled Vishwaguru's Huglomacy' and ridiculing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trademark embrace of foreign leaders.
In a post on X, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote, 'President Trump has left the G7 Summit a day before the G7 outreach with eight other countries that includes India begins. A setback for self‑styled Vishwaguru's Huglomacy,' sharpening the party's long‑running jibe at PM Modi's 'hug diplomacy.'
So now it can no longer be denied by the drumbeaters of the PM and the BJP's troll army.
The man whose incendiary, inflammatory, and provocative remarks were directly linked to the Pahalgam terror attacks is now officially in Washington DC.
The question we had asked earlier…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 17, 2025
President Trump has left the G7 Summit a day before the G7 outreach with eight other countries that includes India begins.
A setback for self-styled Vishwaguru's Huglomacy.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 17, 2025
Trump's early departure coincides with heightened tensions in the Middle East. While urging fellow G7 leaders to evacuate Tehran immediately, he asserted that Iran 'can never have a nuclear weapon' and called for 'de‑escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.' He later told reporters the Israel‑Iran ceasefire was not the reason for cutting short his visit, hinting at a 'much bigger' initiative yet to be disclosed.
The Opposition also targeted the Modi government over Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir's ongoing trip to Washington. In a follow‑up post, Ramesh declared: 'So now it can no longer be denied by the drumbeaters of the PM and the BJP's troll army. The man whose incendiary, inflammatory, and provocative remarks were directly linked to the Pahalgam terror attacks is now officially in Washington DC.'
He pressed further: 'The question we had asked earlier needs to be repeated: what is America up to by hosting Asim Munir in this manner? Why are the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister silent on this outrageous American outreach to Pakistan?'
Senior US military officials have argued for retaining ties with both India and Pakistan, citing Islamabad's role in countering Islamic State–Khorasan Province. During a recent visit by an Indian delegation to Washington, US Central Command chief General Michael Kurilla highlighted Gen Munir's cooperation against IS‑KP.
The Congress has repeatedly slammed the government for allowing Trump to claim he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan last month after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 escalated military tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. The government has repeatedly asserted that the matter was resolved bilaterally.