Congress Welcomes Reported US-Iran Peace Deal, Urges More Balanced India Policy on West Asia

The Congress on Monday criticised the Modi government's foreign policy, arguing that India faces a growing geopolitical challenge from Pakistan's increased regional influence and China's deepening role in Pakistan's strategic apparatus. Party leader Jairam Ramesh said the developments underline the need for a more balanced approach to West Asia.

Ramesh welcomed reports that the United States and Iran have reached an agreement to end hostilities and that it is due to be formally signed on June 19 in Geneva or Switzerland, depending on the report. He said there was widespread hope that the accord, though interim in nature, would be respected by all sides, including Israel, and could lead to a more lasting normalisation.

He said the expected reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would provide relief to India, but warned that the country’s economic problems would not be solved quickly. In his remarks, he pointed to pressure on the rupee, weak private investment, stagnant real wages, a rising trade deficit linked to imports from China, and a difficult investment climate as longer-term concerns.

Ramesh also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of showing excessive support for Israel, saying humanitarian considerations and India’s national interest demanded greater balance. His comments came amid reports of a peace deal following intensive US-Iran talks mediated with support from Qatar, according to statements cited by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.