Rahul Gandhi Dares PM Modi to Call Trump a Liar
During the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor on July 29, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to publicly refute U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims about brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Gandhi directly addressed the Prime Minister, saying, “If he is lying and you have even half the courage of Indira Gandhi, then say in Parliament—‘Donald Trump is a liar.’”
Accusations on Operation Sindoor Strategy
Rahul Gandhi questioned the strategic intent behind Operation Sindoor, arguing that while the Indian Air Force showed bravery, the political leadership lacked resolve. He referred to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement that the operation lasted 22 minutes and that India contacted Pakistan at 1:35 AM to prevent escalation. Gandhi alleged that Indian pilots were ordered to avoid military targets and instead hit non-military infrastructure, which he said raised questions about the mission’s objectives and leadership.
Government Denies Foreign Influence
The government strongly denied that any foreign leader, including Donald Trump, had any role in India’s ceasefire decision. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar both clarified in Parliament that the ceasefire was initiated by Pakistan and that India had already achieved its military goals. The ministers insisted that India acted on its own strategic timeline and without any foreign mediation.
Alleged Demand of Surrender by Pakistan
Gandhi also claimed that Pakistan had issued a demand for India’s surrender within 30 minutes after the airstrikes and alleged that the Indian government responded with a willingness to de-escalate. He called this a failure of political courage and said it signaled premature compromise.
Bigger Political Message
The debate highlights growing political tensions over how the government handled the recent India-Pakistan conflict. Rahul Gandhi’s remarks reflect the opposition’s broader argument that national security decisions are being shaped more by image management than by military strategy. The government, meanwhile, continues to defend its handling of the situation as both firm and effective.
