Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi over US remarks after killing of Indian sailors; Congress demands stronger response
The Congress attacked the Modi government over US statements following the killing of three Indian sailors in strikes off Oman, with Rahul Gandhi calling the Prime Minister a “compromised PM”. The party demanded stronger diplomatic action and criticised India’s response
New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over US statements following the killing of three Indian sailors in American attacks on ships, with party leader Rahul Gandhi saying the “compromised PM” listens “like an obedient servant” and complies with “orders”.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the Prime Minister over his “silence” on the killing of the three Indian seafarers, alleging that no further proof is needed that he has “belittled” India’s global standing and sovereignty.
The Congress also demanded that India put off the upcoming visit of US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, asserting that any self-respecting nation would do more than mere phone calls and press statements to defend its sovereignty against “bullies”.
With Prime Minister Modi set to meet US President Donald Trump in France this week, the Opposition party asked whether he would raise India’s strongest condemnation over the sailors’ killing in a US attack on a ship off the Oman coast, as well as the “threatening and unacceptable” language used by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his conversation with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on June 12.
Rahul Gandhi said “our compromised PM” listens like an “obedient servant” and complies with “orders”.
He added that a “compromised PM” would not defend the nation’s honour because he is beholden to those who insult the country.
His remarks came a day after the US said it had conveyed to India that any violation of its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and illicit transport of Iranian oil would not be tolerated.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed this to S. Jaishankar, who spoke with him on Friday to lodge a strong protest against the deaths of three Indian nationals in US attacks on ships off the coast of Oman.
In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said: “Just days after three Indian sailors were killed in American attacks, there is neither regret nor apology. On the contrary, the US continues to issue orders.”
“Read their words: ‘Obey US military orders immediately’. No violation will be tolerated,” he said.
“A sovereign nation would never tolerate such language. But our compromised PM? Silent. He listens like an obedient servant and complies with the orders,” Gandhi said.
In another post in Hindi, he referred to the death of an Indian national due to medical complications aboard a vessel currently docked at Duqm Port in Oman.
“Under a compromised PM, being an Indian means facing a wretched plight. Foreign powers kill our citizens. Our government meekly obeys orders like an obedient servant and our citizens are left to rot,” he said.
“Bring this Indian home. Now,” Gandhi said, tagging a post quoting the Indian captain of MT Celestial, who said the body of his second officer was decomposing.
Kharge, in a post on X, alleged that India’s national interests were being surrendered on a daily basis.
“Even as the mortal remains of Indian seafarers killed in Oman by American action arrive in India, I join the nation in mourning the loss of the three Indian seafarers,” Kharge said.
“Three days have passed since this tragic incident. Yet there has been no public statement or even a condolence message from PM @narendramodi,” he said.
“You spoke about ‘desh nahi jhukne denge’, but no proof is now required that you have belittled India’s global standing and sovereignty,” Kharge alleged.
He said India’s national interests were being surrendered on a daily basis.
“And you have the audacity to sugarcoat it with the ‘Vishwaguru’ narrative,” he said, adding that India was respected globally when it followed strategic autonomy and non-alignment.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised the Modi government, calling its silence “shameful” and urging it to firmly convey that India is a sovereign nation capable of defending its interests.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh questioned whether the Prime Minister would raise India’s concerns during his meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France.
He also referred to upcoming trade discussions involving US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and said India should reconsider aspects of its trade engagement in light of recent developments.
Ramesh further alleged that India had made concessions in its trade arrangements with the US and criticised the government’s handling of foreign policy issues, including trade and security matters.
