Congress Slams Centre’s Foreign Policy After Operation Sindoor, Cites Diplomatic Isolation

Pawan Khera points to lack of global support post-Operation Sindoor, cites $2.6 billion Russian deal with Pakistan as a foreign policy setback.

HH News Desk 3 weeks agoLast Updated: June 7, 2025

4 3 minutes read

NEW DELHI, May 30 — Congress leader Pawan Khera launched a sharp critique of the Central government’s foreign policy on Friday, arguing that India’s diplomatic influence has significantly diminished — a situation that, in his view, became evident during and after Operation Sindoor.

Speaking to ANI, Khera questioned why no major country came forward to categorically label Pakistan a terrorist state in the operation’s aftermath. “The silence of the global community says everything. Not one country stepped up. That’s the cost of a failed foreign policy,” he said.

The Congress party has taken a tougher line in recent days on what it sees as a decline in India’s strategic credibility abroad, even as the government hails military successes in the Kashmir Valley.

Kuwait, Russia, and the Gulf: A Shifting Landscape

Khera pointed to a string of foreign moves that, according to the Congress, run counter to India’s diplomatic efforts.

“Look at the developments. Kuwait has lifted visa restrictions on Pakistan. Iran, UAE, and other Gulf nations are signing economic agreements with them. And just yesterday, Russia entered into an MoU with Pakistan to revive a defunct steel plant — a deal worth $2.6 billion,” he stated.

This particular agreement between Islamabad and Moscow has drawn attention not just for its scale but for what it may signal geopolitically. Russia has long been considered a key Indian ally, especially in defence cooperation. The Congress, however, views this engagement as a warning sign.

Party functionaries say that while strategic diversification by foreign nations is not new, the absence of Indian leverage in such deals reflects deeper foreign policy stagnation.

BJP Counters, Attacks Congress Leadership

The BJP dismissed these claims, with its spokesperson Sambit Patra going on the offensive. In a press briefing held earlier in the day, Patra took aim at Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who had questioned the outcome of Operation Sindoor, including unverified claims around damage to Indian Rafale jets.

“Those who praise Pakistan’s strength while doubting India’s own capabilities are nothing short of Gabbar Singhs of this country,” said Patra, mixing film rhetoric with political critique.

He went further, accusing the Congress of failing to demand answers from Pakistan — particularly about the operation’s impact on their military infrastructure. “Why is there no curiosity from them about how many terror camps were destroyed? Or which airbases were hit?”

Opposition Pushes Back: ‘Asking Questions Isn’t Anti-National’

Pawan Khera, however, said such attacks were a way to sidestep critical questions. “Revanth Reddy is asking what even some BJP veterans are asking. Subramanian Swamy, for instance, has put out similar concerns publicly,” Khera said.

He defended the Congress’s right to question the use of public funds on foreign visits and defence ventures. “If the Prime Minister travels abroad using taxpayers’ money, people have the right to know what came out of those visits,” he remarked. He also referred to recent comments by the IAF Chief, who noted delays in key defence procurement projects.

“Each delay weakens preparedness. Citizens deserve answers — not name-calling,” Khera added.

Revanth Reddy Backs Military Action, Clarifies Stand on PoK

Despite BJP’s allegations, Revanth Reddy has reiterated that the Congress fully supports military efforts to secure Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He said this position was clearly communicated during the all-party meeting where both Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge endorsed India’s stance on PoK.

Reddy had earlier remarked, “Our only demand is clarity. We stand behind the armed forces, but the public must not be left in the dark.”

Congress insiders say the party intends to press the government further in the coming parliamentary session, focusing on foreign policy deliverables, diplomatic capital, and measurable outcomes from Operation Sindoor.

Strategic Vacuum or Transition?

Some policy observers agree that recent diplomatic developments point to a realignment in the region. A former diplomat familiar with Gulf affairs, speaking anonymously, suggested that India might be caught in a moment of strategic limbo.

“Other countries are hedging. They’re looking at economic interests, balancing ties with both India and Pakistan. The challenge for New Delhi is to ensure that strategic partnerships don’t become transactional,” the diplomat said.

While government sources insist that bilateral ties remain robust across Asia and beyond, the visible enthusiasm of key allies in engaging Pakistan — especially in the economic domain — has prompted concern in sections of the Indian foreign policy community.

With Operation Sindoor now becoming a broader political flashpoint, the battle over narratives — both domestic and international — seems far from over. What’s clear is that the opposition is shifting its focus from defence optics to diplomatic results, seeking answers on a stage where perception often matters as much as firepower.

Written by Raj C. | Published on 30 May 2025 | Source: ANI & TOI

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