16

May

Modi’s Ceasefire Speech Raises More Questions Than It Answers

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By Our Correspondent

New Delhi | Friday | 16 May 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 22-minute address on May 12, following the ceasefire with Pakistan, seemed more directed at reassuring his political base than addressing broader national concerns. While Modi’s tone was assertive, his speech left many crucial questions unanswered—questions circulating widely on social media and in private conversations.

Foremost among these is: Why was the ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, rather than by Indian or Pakistani leaders? India has consistently opposed third-party intervention in bilateral matters, especially concerning Kashmir. The 1972 Simla Agreement explicitly rules out external mediation. Has the Modi government undermined India’s longstanding position by allowing Trump to take the lead?

More troubling is Trump’s mention of Kashmir in his ceasefire announcement, contradicting the Indian Parliament’s 1994 resolution that affirms Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India. Has the Modi administration, in effect, abandoned this resolution?

Equally perplexing is the suggestion that India agreed to a ceasefire requested by Pakistan, especially in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack reportedly linked to Pakistani elements. If Pakistan sought peace, why did India agree, given its usual posture of zero tolerance toward cross-border terrorism?

The contrast with past leadership is stark. In 1971, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi firmly rejected U.S. pressure, even when the Seventh Fleet was deployed. She built diplomatic alliances—particularly with the Soviet Union—and reshaped South Asia’s geopolitical map by supporting Bangladesh's independence.

Article at a Glance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent address following a ceasefire with Pakistan raised significant concerns about India's foreign policy direction. His speech, perceived as more focused on domestic political reassurance than addressing international implications, left key questions unanswered.
Notably, the ceasefire was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, challenging India's longstanding opposition to third-party intervention in Kashmir issues. Critics argue that this undermines India's position and suggests a shift towards U.S. influence, contrasting sharply with past leaders like Indira Gandhi, who resisted external pressure. Additionally, India's failure to secure international support, particularly from traditional allies, highlights a growing diplomatic isolation.
Modi's approach, influenced by domestic political narratives, risks eroding India's reputation as a secular and non-aligned power. To regain global respect, India must realign its foreign policy with foundational principles of mutual respect and strategic independence, prioritizing long-term national interests over short-term political gains.

Modi’s approach, in contrast, suggests acquiescence to U.S. influence. Are India and Pakistan now engaged in dialogue under American mediation? If so, this reverses decades of policy.

Although Modi declared in his address that any talks with Pakistan would be limited to terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok), he did not clarify whether the U.S. had agreed to these conditions. Trump, meanwhile, reiterated his role in the ceasefire during a visit to Saudi Arabia, mentioning mediation multiple times since May 10.

The absence of international support for India in this conflict is also telling. Unlike in 1971, when Indira Gandhi successfully garnered global backing, the Modi government failed diplomatically. While countries like Turkey, China, and Azerbaijan supported Pakistan, none of India’s traditional allies, including Russia, offered clear support. Even Russia maintained neutrality, possibly due to India’s ambiguous stance on the Ukraine war.

China went so far as to assure Pakistan of its support in defending its sovereignty, signalling the strategic closeness between the two nations. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi previously warned that Modi's foreign policy had driven Pakistan and China closer, calling it a major blunder.

The United States, too, disappointed India. Despite Modi’s efforts since 2014 to strengthen ties with Washington, the U.S. initially stayed silent. Vice President JD Vance explicitly said the conflict was not America’s concern. That stance abruptly changed with Trump’s ceasefire announcement, raising questions about what prompted the reversal.

India now claims the ceasefire was a bilateral decision initiated by Pakistan’s military leadership, not the U.S. But if that’s the case, why did the announcement follow Trump’s public statements? This inconsistency undermines credibility and transparency.

India also failed to gain support from the Arab world, despite Modi’s outreach to leaders like Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the UAE’s Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Countries such as Turkey provided Pakistan with drones and military support, while others, including Egypt, remained silent.

This isolation may be a result of the Modi government’s perceived alignment with Israel, especially during its military operations in Gaza, widely condemned across the Muslim world. While previous Indian governments maintained a careful balance between supporting Palestine and deepening ties with Israel, the Modi administration has tilted toward the latter, affecting India’s standing in Muslim-majority nations.

This situation highlights a deeper issue: foreign policy shaped by domestic political interests. Since 2014, India’s international posture has increasingly mirrored its internal political narrative, marked by religious polarisation and exclusion.

India’s shift away from its traditional principles of non-alignment and inclusivity is weakening its global stature. Even long-time allies now hesitate to support India unconditionally. For example, during the conflict, a diplomatic controversy erupted after retired Major Gaurav Arya insulted Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, calling him a “pig” on social media. The government’s tepid response to the incident further damaged India's image.

Today, India risks losing its hard-earned reputation as a secular, inclusive, and non-aligned power. To regain global respect, India must return to the foreign policy principles laid down by Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, emphasising mutual respect, non-alignment, and strategic independence.

The Prime Minister’s post-ceasefire speech, which leaned heavily on domestic political messaging, failed to project the kind of diplomatic clarity and confidence the world expects from a rising power. A course correction is urgently needed.

India’s foreign policy must prioritise long-term national interests over short-term political gains. Anything less risks further diplomatic isolation at a time when global solidarity is essential.

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