The Congress party on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark that India and the US are “natural partners.” Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned the nature of this partnership, pointing out that US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for brokering the India-Pakistan ceasefire.
Prime Minister Modi had today emphasized that trade negotiations between India and the US will unlock the vast potential of their partnership. Describing the two countries as “close friends and natural partners,” Modi said that trade negotiations between both the countries will help unlock the “limitless potential” of the partnership between the two nations. His remarks come amid renewed diplomatic momentum aimed at overcoming recent tensions over tariffs and energy policy.
The renewed dialogue was announced by US President Donald Trump, who posted on Truth Social that negotiations between the two countries are back on track. He expressed optimism that discussions would lead to a “successful conclusion for both of our great countries.”
Recalling that Trump has declared over 35 times that he brought about the India-Pakistan ceasefire using trade as an instrument of leverage, Ramesh said in a post on X, “Prime Minister Modi has told President Trump that India and the US are ‘natural partners.’ The question is now this: Are they so natural that President Trump has declared on over 35 different occasions that he brought about the India-Pakistan ceasefire on the evening of May 10th using trade as the instrument of leverage?”
The India-Pakistan ceasefire was announced on May 10, 2025, after a series of escalating hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Trump repeatedly claimed that his administration played a key role in facilitating the ceasefire, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also welcoming the agreement and offering US support to facilitate dialogue.
Rubio stated that the US got involved directly in the conflict, and Trump was able to deliver on peace. However, India has rejected Trump’s claim, maintaining that the ceasefire decision was taken bilaterally following a request from the Pakistani DGMO.
The controversy comes amid ongoing trade negotiations between India and the US. PM Modi expressed confidence that the trade negotiations would pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the partnership between the two countries. Trump also signaled a thaw in the bilateral chill between India and the US, saying both countries were continuing negotiations to address trade barriers.