NEW DELHI, Oct 13: The Congress Monday said US President Donald Trump has claimed for the “51st time” that he used tariffs to force the “abrupt halt” of Operation Sindoor and “our prime minister continues to be silent while hailing him on his peace efforts in relation to Gaza”.
Congress general secretary in-charge, communications, Jairam Ramesh, shared a video link on X in which Trump is heard repeating his claim about resolving eight wars, including the conflict between India and Pakistan earlier this year.“This time — the 51st time that he has made this claim of having used tariffs to force India into the abrupt halt to Operation Sindoor. President Trump has given specific numbers on the tariff threats he reportedly made,” Ramesh said on X.“And our PM continues to be silent while hailing him on his peace efforts in relation to Gaza,” the Congress leader said. Since May 10, when Trump claimed on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate “ceasefire” after a long night of talks mediated by Washington, he has repeated his claim several times that he helped settle the conflict between India and Pakistan.
India has consistently maintained that the understanding on cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was reached following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two militaries.Ramesh’s remarks came after Modi welcomed the release of the 20 remaining living hostages held by Hamas.
PM MODI ENDORSES TRUMP’S EFFORTS
Modi said India supports US President Donald Trump’s “sincere efforts” to bring peace to the region.Hamas released the hostages as part of the first phase of President Trump’s Gaza peace plan.“We welcome the release of all hostages after over two years of captivity,” Modi said on ‘X’.
“Their freedom stands as a tribute to the courage of their families, the unwavering peace efforts of President Trump and the strong resolve of (Israeli) Prime Minister Netanyahu,” he said.
Modi added, “We support President Trump’s sincere efforts to bring peace to the region.” After missing the Nobel Peace Prize, US President Trump claimed to have resolved eight wars, including the one between India and Pakistan, saying he did not do this for the Nobel.Under the Gaza peace plan, Israel is releasing nearly 2,000 prisoners and detainees.
In an address to the Israeli parliament, Trump described the Gaza peace process as “the dawn of a new Middle East” and that a “beautiful and much brighter future” appears suddenly within the region’s reach.
“After two harrowing years of darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families,” Trump said.
The ceasefire in Gaza came into effect on Friday. Israel launched the war in Gaza after Hamas attacked Israeli cities on October 7, 2023 killing about 1,200 people. Hamas also took 251 people as hostages. Some of the hostages were released earlier.
Israeli military operations have killed over 66,000 Palestinians since then, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. (PTI)
