By IPA Webdesk
Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the Indian National Congress, has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi鈥檚 administration of pursuing a 鈥渇aulty鈥 foreign policy that is isolating the country and straining ties with neighbours. Speaking at the 鈥淪amajika Nyaya Samara Bheri鈥 event in Hyderabad on 4 July, Kharge said that India now faces hostility from China, Pakistan and even Nepal, which is increasingly distancing itself from New Delhi.
Kharge highlighted the contrast between Modi鈥檚 foreign travels and his silence on domestic issues. He noted that the prime minister has visited 42 countries but has yet to visit Manipur, a state grappling with ethnic violence and civilian suffering. Kharge stated, 鈥淢odi has visited 42 countries, but has not yet gone to Manipur, where people are dying,鈥 underscoring what he described as a misalignment in priorities.
He accused Modi of being more concerned with collecting accolades abroad than addressing urgent crises at home. 鈥淚f someone gives Modi a cap or a medal, he will wear it and go around,鈥 Kharge mocked, adding that the prime minister seems to value foreign recognition more than the plight of farmers and citizens.
Kharge broadened his critique to address the economic and constitutional implications of Modi鈥檚 policies. He claimed that over his 11-year tenure, Modi鈥檚 government has 鈥渞uined鈥 the economy and 鈥渄estroyed鈥 the Constitution, although he provided no further elaboration during his speech. These charges reflect deep political divisions as the Congress seeks to frame the Modi administration as misguided and misgoverned ahead of future elections.
On diplomacy, Kharge cited deteriorating relations with China and Pakistan, and warned that Nepal鈥檚 attitude represents a sign of widening distrust in the region. His remarks come amid signs that Bangladesh鈥揑ndia relations are experiencing a 鈥渞eadjustment phase,鈥 a characterization noted by Bangladesh鈥檚 adviser on foreign affairs Md Touhid Hossain on 26 June. Analysts say this phrase implies a subtle cooling in ties rather than a full diplomatic freeze.
Kharge鈥檚 comments follow earlier criticism directed at Modi鈥檚 reticence regarding the Israel鈥揑ran conflict. On 23 June, Kharge urged the government to adopt a clearer stance, particularly in view of India鈥檚 significant reliance on Iranian oil imports. He argued that India, historically a major crude importer from Iran, must take a robust diplomatic stance rather than remain silent.
On 6 June, Kharge called on international leaders to hold Pakistan accountable for alleged support of terrorism, arguing that financial assistance from global lenders such as the IMF, Asian Development Bank and World Bank could bolster Pakistan鈥檚 military and thus undermine regional security.
Predictably, the BJP-led government rejected Kharge鈥檚 assertions. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya accused him and other Congress leaders of aligning with narratives favourable to Pakistan when questioning the success of Operation Sindoor鈥攁n Indian military operation across the border. Maurya described their criticism as unpatriotic and alleged that Congress was casting doubts on the armed forces鈥 credibility.
In Karnataka, ministers echoed this sentiment following a terror attack in Pahalgam in May. The Congress faced backlash for questioning the speed and nature of India鈥檚 response. Opposition leaders demanded transparency about intelligence failures, but ruling party figures claimed they were politicising national security.
Foreign policy analysts note that Kharge鈥檚 critique reflects deeper tensions in India鈥檚 diplomatic posture. Former national security adviser Shivshankar Menon described the current foreign policy as exhibiting 鈥渟trategic incoherence鈥 and lacking a coherent guiding framework. While the Modi administration has actively promoted its Act East policy and strengthened ties with ASEAN and East Asian partners, critics question whether these advances have offset strains with neighbouring South Asian countries.
India鈥檚 growing global footprint under Modi has included high-profile state visits and energetic participation in international forums. Yet, regional observers highlight that proximity diplomacy with immediate neighbours often receives less attention, potentially undermining stability in the neighbourhood.
Kharge鈥檚 assertions underscore a perception among opposition leaders that foreign engagements are overshadowing essential domestic responsibilities. His pointed mention of Manipur, a state beset by prolonged ethnic conflict since 2023, calls into question the government鈥檚 responsiveness to urgent internal crises. The absence of a prime ministerial visit has become emblematic of broader concerns about imbalanced governance priorities.