New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and Chairman of Media & Publicity, AICC, Shri Pawan Khera on Sunday sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meeting with US President Donald Trump, describing it as a moment of national embarrassment that exposed the Modi government’s “agent-like” conduct before a foreign leader.
Addressing the media at the AICC headquarters on 24 Akbar Road, Khera said the visuals from the meeting left every Indian with a beating heart for the nation “ashamed and angry.” He pointed to Modi’s reportedly deferential posture, repeated use of “Excellency,” and failure to firmly raise the killing of three innocent Indian sailors by US forces just days earlier.
“Three unarmed Indian citizens — our sailors — were murdered in cold blood. President Trump did not express even regret, let alone an apology. Instead, the Prime Minister returned happy after hearing compliments about his glowing skin,” Khera said, mocking the exchange as vanity over substance. He questioned what kind of diplomacy involves seeking personal endorsement from a foreign leader while Indian lives are lost.
Khera contrasted Modi’s approach with the assertive diplomacy of past Prime Ministers. He recalled Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and especially Dr. Manmohan Singh, who had shown spine in dealing with the US — including swift responses in the Devyani Khobragade episode. “No previous leader surrendered or compromised like this,” he asserted.
The Congress leader highlighted multiple diplomatic setbacks during the same period: the US renaming of Indo-Pacific Command by dropping “India,” publication of maps showing Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as Pakistani territory, and new US visa restrictions affecting Indian professionals. He also criticised the tariff deal with the US, claiming India agreed to purchase $100 billion worth of American goods annually for five years under a one-sided arrangement.
Khera accused the Modi government of prioritising “PR First” over “Nation First.” He alleged that praise from Trump and sections of “Godi media” had silenced concerns over critical issues, including Operation Sindoor ceasefire claims and Pakistan’s growing international clout. He noted that while the UPA government had placed Pakistan on the FATF Grey List, it now brokers deals between Iran and the US under Modi’s watch.
On fuel prices, Khera expressed scepticism about any relief, citing the government’s reluctance to pass on international price reductions to consumers. He called for stronger public support to amplify opposition voices on these national issues.
The fiery address underscored the deepening Congress attack on the Modi government’s foreign policy, framing it as a failure of diplomacy that has diminished India’s global standing. Khera concluded that the country deserves a Prime Minister who looks foreign leaders in the eye and puts India first, not one seeking personal validation.