Congress Criticizes PM Modi for Comparing Asia Cup Victory to Operation Sindoor Amid Trump Ceasefire Claims

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's congratulatory tweet to the Indian cricket team for their Asia Cup T20 victory, which referenced Operation Sindoor, prompted a sharp response from Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera on Monday evening.

Khera criticized the Prime Minister saying, "it is not right to compare a cricket match to a battlefield." He continued with a pointed remark, "When you are close to victory, good captains do not cease fire on the orders of any third umpire," clearly alluding to the Congress party's criticism of the BJP regarding the cessation of hostilities with Pakistan.

Modi had tweeted, "#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same - India wins! Congrats to our cricketers."

The Congress has consistently criticized the BJP government over the May 10 India-Pakistan ceasefire announcement, particularly after US President Donald Trump claimed credit for mediating the resolution. On May 16, Trump stated, "I sure as hell helped settle the problem between India and Pakistan..." despite India's official position that the ceasefire was requested by Pakistan.

Trump repeated these claims during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, fueling Congress accusations that Modi's government had yielded to American pressure when Pakistan was strategically vulnerable.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh highlighted this point following Air Chief Marshal AP Singh's confirmation that Pakistan lost six military aircraft during Operation Sindoor, questioning "why did the Prime Minister suddenly stop Operation Sindoor on the evening of May 10th... where did the pressure come from..."

Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi has also challenged PM Modi to publicly reject Trump's claims about influencing the ceasefire.

The Congress has suggested that ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States—amid a tariff dispute involving 50 percent levies imposed by Trump—may have influenced the Modi government's decision to agree to the ceasefire at the behest of this 'third umpire.'

Throughout these criticisms, the Indian government has maintained that the ceasefire resulted from direct communications between the Directors-General of Military Operations of both countries. Modi clarified this position during a phone call with Trump in June, stating that the ceasefire had been requested by Pakistan and negotiated through established military channels between Delhi and Islamabad.