'Natural to remember Indira Gandhi...': Jairam Ramesh questions 'US-brokered' India-Pak ceasefire, demands all-party meet

The Congress on Sunday demanded the Centre to conduct an all-party meeting and convene a special session of the Parliament to discuss the India-Pakistan ceasefire deal and other developments in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.

 

Questioning reports regarding the United States' role in brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, Congress secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should chair an all-party meeting and convene a special Parliament session to discuss Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor and the ceasefire, "announced first in Washington DC and subsequently by the Governments of India and Pakistan". "So that all these issues can be discussed comprehensively," he said.

 

In a post on X, Ramesh said, "The Indian National Congress believes that the mention of a 'neutral forum' for dialogue between India and Pakistan by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio raises several questions - have we abandoned the Shimla Agreement? Have we opened the door for third-party mediation? The Indian National Congress would like to ask whether diplomatic channels are being reopened between India and Pakistan?"

 

Ramesh asked did the government receive any commitments from Pakistan. "The Indian National Congress would like to draw attention to the comments made yesterday evening by two former army chiefs of the country regarding this entire situation. In view of these comments, the prime minister himself should respond. Finally, the Indian National Congress believes that it is natural for the country to remember the exceptionally bold and determined leadership of Indira Gandhi ji as she displayed in 1971," the Congress leader said.

 

After days of military escalation, India and Pakistan agreed to stop firing with immediate effect on Saturday evening. However, ceasefire violations were reported within hours after the truce pact. 

 

India