As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to embark on an extensive five-nation foreign tour, the Indian National Congress has launched a scathing attack, accusing him of prioritizing international engagements over pressing domestic concerns. The opposition party claims that the Prime Minister’s eight-day, five-nation “jaunt” is an attempt to escape from critical national issues that demand immediate attention.
Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, spearheaded the criticism, derisively labeling Prime Minister Modi the “Super Premium Frequent Flier PM.” In a sharply worded statement, Ramesh suggested that “When the going gets tough, the self-styled toughs get going,” implying that Modi is fleeing from responsibilities at home.
The Congress specifically highlighted several key issues that it alleges the Prime Minister has neglected:
- Manipur Crisis: Ramesh pointed out the prolonged ethnic violence in Manipur, stating that the Prime Minister has not visited the state since the “double engine government” derailed and normal life collapsed. This continued absence, according to the Congress, demonstrates a lack of empathy and commitment to resolving the humanitarian crisis.
- Operation Sindoor Revelations: The opposition also raised concerns about reported revelations from defense officials regarding setbacks suffered during the initial days of “Operation Sindoor,” a military action against terrorist infrastructure. The Congress cited claims that these reverses were a result of the Prime Minister’s decisions, though the Indian embassy in Indonesia has clarified that remarks by a defense attaché were misrepresented.
- Trump’s Mediation Claims: The Congress further criticized the government’s perceived failure to adequately address or refute repeated claims by President Donald Trump, who alleged that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan by leveraging trade negotiations. This, the opposition argues, undermines India’s diplomatic standing and suggests a lack of transparency.
- Pahalgam Terror Attack Justice: The inability to bring the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack to justice, even after 70 days, was another major point of contention. Ramesh emphasized that the same group might have been linked to earlier attacks in Poonch (December 2023), Gagangir, and Gulmarg (October 2024), underscoring a perceived failure in national security.
Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming tour, scheduled from July 2nd to July 9th, includes visits to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil (for the 17th BRICS Summit), and Namibia. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has outlined an agenda focusing on strengthening bilateral ties, expanding India’s engagement with the Global South, and discussing key global issues such as governance reform, peace and security, multilateralism, and climate action. This will be Modi’s longest diplomatic visit in the last decade, with significant discussions planned on defense, energy, and trade. He is also expected to address the parliaments of Trinidad and Tobago and Namibia.
Despite the government’s stated objectives for the tour, the Congress’s sharp criticism underscores a fundamental difference in priorities, with the opposition demanding greater focus and accountability on critical domestic challenges before extensive international travel.