Congress Criticises Modi's Foreign Policy Amid Iran‑Israel‑US Conflict and Trade Deal Controversy

<h2>Congress Criticises Modi’s Foreign Policy Amid Iran‑Israel‑US Conflict and Trade Deal Controversy</h2> <p>The Indian National Congress on <strong>1 March 2026</strong> accused the <strong>Modi government</strong> of betraying India’s values and strategic interests in the wake of a joint <strong>U.S.–Israel attack on Iran</strong>. Congress leader <strong>Jairam Ramesh</strong> used his X post to highlight perceived contradictions in India’s diplomatic stance, the handling of a controversial <span class="key-term" data-definition="Operation Sindoor — A fictitious Indian security operation cited in political discourse; its mention reflects how political narratives use alleged operations to critique government actions (GS1: Polity)">Operation Sindoor</span>, and a one‑sided <span class="key-term" data-definition="India‑U.S. trade deal — Bilateral agreement aimed at liberalising trade between India and the United States; its terms affect sectors like agriculture and have implications for India’s economic sovereignty (GS3: Economy)">India‑U.S. trade deal</span>.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>Modi visited <span class="key-term" data-definition="Knesset — Israel’s unicameral parliament; a speech there signals diplomatic outreach (GS2: Polity)">Knesset</span> on <strong>25‑26 Feb 2026</strong>, just before the <strong>U.S.–Israel strike on Iran</strong> that killed Supreme Leader <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ayatollah — Title for high‑ranking Shia clerics; the Supreme Leader of Iran holds ultimate political and religious authority (GS1: History)">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</span>.</li> <li>Congress alleges the Modi government remained silent on the <strong>U.S. President’s (Donald Trump) “romance” with Pakistan</strong> and on the alleged <span class="key-term" data-definition="Tariff strategy — Use of import duties to influence trade partners; here it is linked to the India‑U.S. deal and later deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (GS3: Economy)">tariff strategy</span> that underpinned the trade pact.</li> <li>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="U.S. Supreme Court — Highest judicial body in the United States; its rulings can affect international agreements and trade policies (GS1: Polity)">U.S. Supreme Court</span> later declared the tariff framework illegal, raising questions about the durability of the deal.</li> <li>Ramesh accused Modi of giving a “clean chit” to <span class="key-term" data-definition="Clean chit — An official statement clearing an entity of wrongdoing; politically, it can signal appeasement of a rival (GS2: Polity)">China</span> in 2020, weakening India’s negotiating position after the 2020 Ladakh clashes.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>• The attack on Iran was launched on <strong>28 Feb 2026</strong> by the United States and Israel, targeting Khamenei’s compound in Tehran.<br> • Congress demanded the government ensure safety of Indian nationals in the Middle East and work for de‑escalation.<br> • Ramesh highlighted that the trade deal obliges India to liberalise imports, especially agricultural commodities, without reciprocal US concessions.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>Understanding the dynamics of India’s foreign policy is essential for <span class="key-term" data-definition="Vishwaguru — Self‑styled term used by Indian leaders to portray India as a global moral guide; reflects India’s aspirational foreign‑policy narrative (GS2: Polity)">Vishwaguru</span> rhetoric helps answer questions on India’s strategic autonomy, non‑alignment, and bilateral engagements. The episode also illustrates how domestic political criticism can shape foreign‑policy discourse, a recurring theme in GS2. Moreover, the trade‑deal controversy touches on economic diplomacy, tariff politics, and legal challenges, relevant for GS3.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>• The government may need to articulate a clear stance on the Iran‑Israel‑U.S. conflict to safeguard Indian interests and citizens abroad.<br> • A review of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="India‑U.S. trade deal — Bilateral agreement aimed at liberalising trade between India and the United States; its terms affect sectors like agriculture and have implications for India’s economic sovereignty (GS3: Economy)">India‑U.S. trade deal</span> should address asymmetries and ensure compliance with international legal standards.<br> • Strengthening diplomatic channels with both Western and regional powers can help mitigate fallout from unilateral actions and reinforce India’s image as a responsible global player.</p>