Congress Cites Meloni to Criticize Modi's G7 Meeting with Trump

The Times of India reported on June 20, 2026, that the Indian Congress party launched a strong attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit. Congress leader Pawan Khera, among others, lambasted Modi's diplomatic approach, suggesting he should 'learn how to respond' from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The G7 Summit, held in Evian-les-Bains, France, from June 15 to 17, 2026, served as the backdrop for these high-stakes diplomatic interactions. During a press conference, Khera specifically accused Prime Minister Modi of failing to effectively advocate for India's interests during his discussions with US President Trump. The criticisms focused on several key areas: the deaths of Indian seafarers, the nature of the US-India trade deal, and alleged claims made by Trump regarding 'Operation Sindoor'. Khera's scathing remarks painted a picture of Modi appearing subservient to Trump, claiming that the Prime Minister sat with 'downcast eyes' and addressed Trump as 'Excellency.' He described the scene as 'deeply embarrassing,' likening it to a 'company agent speaking to his boss,' and asserted that India had 'never seen a Prime Minister like this before.' At the core of Congress's attack was the comparison with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's recent assertive interaction with President Trump. Meloni garnered international attention at the same G7 Summit when she publicly and vehemently refuted President Trump's claim that she had 'begged' him for a photo opportunity. Trump, in an interview with an Italian TV channel (La7), reportedly stated that he only agreed to the photo because he 'felt sorry for her.' Meloni, however, swiftly dismissed these remarks as 'completely fabricated,' declaring, 'Neither I nor Italy ever beg.' This firm rebuttal by Meloni became a benchmark for the Congress party in criticizing Modi's perceived lack of assertiveness. Regarding the substance of the Modi-Trump meeting, Congress alleged that Modi did not raise the critical issue of the killing of three Indian seafarers in US military strikes in the Gulf of Oman. However, official reports from the summit contradict this claim. Prime Minister Modi explicitly raised the issue of Indian seafarers' safety with President Trump, emphasizing its 'utmost importance' to India, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Modi highlighted that 'hundreds of thousands of Indian seafarers are working and performing their duties across global maritime trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz,' and sought assurance for their protection during the implementation of the US peace deal with Iran. President Trump acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, describing seafaring as a 'tough profession' and indicating that the US would 'work together' with India. Another point of contention for Congress was the ongoing US-India trade deal. Pawan Khera alleged that Modi failed to push back against what he termed the 'one-sided nature' of the deal. Conversely, President Trump stated that a new trade deal was 'very close' and even characterized Modi as a 'tough' negotiator. This disparity highlights the political interpretation versus the reported diplomatic outcome. Khera also brought up Trump's previous 'Operation Sindoor' ceasefire claims, implying that Modi did not address this contentious issue during their meeting. However, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri later suggested that the leaders primarily focused on more urgent matters, such as the trade agreement, rather than delving into every past claim. India has consistently maintained that any cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was negotiated bilaterally, not brokered by a third party. Overall, the news story highlights a significant political discourse in India concerning its diplomatic engagements on the global stage, particularly with major powers like the United States. While the Congress party's criticisms were sharp and specific, some of their claims, particularly regarding Modi's failure to raise the seafarers' issue, appear to be exaggerated when compared with the verified reports of the meeting. The context that Donald Trump is the sitting US President in June 2026, as depicted in these articles, is a crucial piece of real-time information that shapes the entire narrative.

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