Daijiworld Media Network

New Delhi, Mar 24: The Indian National Congress on Tuesday said reports suggesting Pakistan may be acting as an intermediary between the United States, Israel and Iran would be a “severe setback” for India if proven true.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said multiple international media reports indicate Pakistan’s role in facilitating communication between Washington and Tel Aviv on one side and Tehran on the other.

“If these reports are true, they represent a severe setback and rebuff to India,” Ramesh said, criticising the government’s foreign policy approach.

He claimed that despite India’s “undoubted military successes” in Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has performed better diplomatically in the aftermath, gaining renewed global relevance despite earlier internal and external challenges.

Ramesh also alleged growing proximity between Pakistan’s establishment and US President Donald Trump, citing recent engagements with Pakistan’s military leadership.

The Congress leader further criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly over his recent visit to Israel shortly before the escalation of hostilities, calling it a “disastrous choice” that weakened India’s potential role as a mediator.

Meanwhile, Trump said the US is in contact with a senior Iranian figure to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict, though he declined to identify the individual. However, Iran has denied any direct negotiations, with its leadership calling such claims “fake news”.

The conflict has intensified following joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, with retaliatory actions further widening tensions across the Gulf region. The White House has declined to confirm reports of possible meetings between US and Iranian representatives, stating that such sensitive diplomatic matters will only be announced officially.