Rahul hits out at PM Modi over US attacks
The Congress on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the US’ statements after three Indian sailors were killed in American attacks on ships, with party leader Rahul Gandhi saying the “compromised PM” listens “like an obedient servant” and “complies with the orders”.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also attacked the prime minister over his “silence” on the killing of the three Indian seafarers, and alleged that no proof is required that he had “belittled” India’s global standing and sovereignty.
The Congress also said India must put off the upcoming visit of US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and asserted that any self-respecting nation will do more than mere phone calls and press statements to defend its sovereignty against “bullies”.
With Prime Minister Modi set to meet US President Donald Trump in France this week, the Opposition party asked whether he will raise India’s strongest condemnation over the sailors’ killing in a US attack on a ship off the Oman coast, and the “threatening and really unacceptable” language used by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on June 12.
Gandhi slammed the prime minister, saying “our compromised PM” listens like an “obedient servant” and complies with the “orders”.
The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha also said that “a compromised PM” will not defend the nation’s honour because he is beholden to those who insult the country.
His remarks come a day after the US said it conveyed to India that any violation of its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated.
US Secretary of State Rubio conveyed this to Jaishankar, who spoke with him on Friday to lodge a strong protest against the death of three Indian nationals in US attacks on ships off the coast of Oman.
In a post in Hindi on social media, Gandhi said, “Just days after three Indian sailors were killed in American attacks, there is neither regret nor apology. On the contrary, the US continues to issue orders.”
“Read their words: ‘Obey US military orders immediately’. No violation ‘will be tolerated’,” he said.
In another post in Hindi, he referred to the death of an Indian national due to medical complications aboard a vessel currently docked at the Duqm Port in Oman.
“Under a compromised PM, being an Indian means facing a wretched plight. Foreign powers kill our citizens. Our Government meekly obeys orders like an obedient servant, and our citizens are left to rot,” he said.
“Bring this Indian home. Now,” Gandhi said, tagging a post quoting the Indian captain of MT Celestial as saying that the body of his second officer is decomposing.
In his post on social media, Kharge alleged that India’s national interests are being surrendered on a daily basis.
“Even as the mortal remains of Indian seafarers killed in Oman by American action arrive in India, I join the nation in mourning the loss of the three Indian seafarers,” Kharge said.
“Three days have passed since this tragic incident. Yet, there has been no public statement at all or even a condolence message from PM @narendramodi,” the Congress president said.
