"Trump is constantly giving statements, and what is our PM doing?": Congress leader Imran Masood

New Delhi [India], July 30 (ANI): Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Imran Masood took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, saying that the latter presented a weak image of himself during his speech in Parliament by not publicly denouncing US President Donald Trump's claims of brokering a ceasefire deal between India and Pakistan.
Masood said that PM Modi's response to Trump's statements on tariffs and ceasefire mediation reflects weakness in leadership.
"PM Modi came out as a weak Prime Minister. The country needs a powerful PM who can stand up to Rahul Gandhi... The PM did not say that Donald Trump is lying... Look at Trump's bravery. He reiterated today that he had stopped the war... ," Masood told ANI.
Referencing PM Modi's remarks that no one stopped India from carrying out Operation Sindoor, Masood hit back by saying that the PM was instead stopped by just a tweet.
"The PM said that no one stopped him. This means that he is so weak that he stopped with just a tweet. This is even more unfortunate... Trump is constantly giving statements, and what is our PM doing?... We don't need to be this scared because the US needs India as much as India needs the US...," said Masood.
Masood questioned the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-led Centre whether India is willing to compromise its self-esteem for trade benefits, highlighting the government's priorities. Masood pointed out PM Modi's silence on China's issues and Trump's repeated claims about mediating the India-Pakistan ceasefire.
"The PM did not say a single word about China. The government is concerned about trade more than our sovereignty and self-esteem. Our sisters' Sindoor was wiped, their tears have not even dried up, and we are playing cricket together... Will we mortgage our self-esteem for trade?" he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi said that no leader in the world told India to stop Operation Sindoor, carried out to retaliate against the Pahalgam terror attack.
Speaking in the debate in Lok Sabha on Operation Sindoor, PM Modi also said that India has proved that nuclear blackmailing will not work anymore, and neither will India bow down to nuclear blackmailing.
"No leader in the world told India to stop its operation. On the night of 9th May, the Vice President of America tried to talk to me. He tried for an hour, but I was in a meeting with my army, so I could not pick up his call. Later, I called him back. The Vice President of America told me on the phone that Pakistan is going to launch a big attack. My answer was that if Pakistan has this intention, it will cost them a lot. If Pakistan attacks, we will respond by launching a big attack. This was my answer," PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister also took a dig at Congress, alleging that it continues to rely on Pakistan for political narratives, has compromised on national security, and that Congress-led governments have neglected the Indus Waters Treaty.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump again claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. During a press interaction aboard the Air Force One on Tuesday (local time), he said, "Look, India, they're my friends and he's (PM Modi) my friend and you know they ended the war with Pakistan and by request and I was great and Pakistan did also. We did a lot of great settlements."
He also hinted at a 20-25 per cent tariff on New Delhi, ahead of the August 1 deadline before the official tariffs come into effect. (ANI)