Has Congress Become Almost Negligible? BJP’s Praveen Khandelwal Responds to Opposition’s Criticism of PM’s Foreign Tour

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi's Cyprus visit is deemed crucial for foreign diplomacy.
- The Congress party's criticism highlights political tensions amidst national mourning.
- Over 35 overseas trips since May 2023 raise questions about the PM's domestic focus.
- Strategic importance amid geopolitical relations is emphasized by BJP leaders.
- Internal issues like the Manipur crisis remain unaddressed.
New Delhi, June 16 (NationPress) BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-nation foreign tour, labeling the Cyprus visit as strategically significant and vital for foreign diplomacy.
“The Congress has essentially transformed into a party of negligible presence,” Khandelwal remarked while criticizing the Opposition’s views on the tour.
“The Cyprus visit carries strategic importance and is essential from a diplomatic standpoint. India and Cyprus enjoy a long-standing friendship, and given the dynamics between Cyprus and Turkey, along with Turkey and Pakistan, we must approach this carefully. In contrast, the Opposition is only concerned with its political interests,” he further stated.
In response, Congress leaders have condemned the Prime Minister for traveling abroad during a period of national grief following the tragic Ahmedabad Air India plane crash.
Ajay Kumar Lallu, a prominent Congress figure, raised questions about the PM’s priorities. “A tragic incident has just occurred in our nation, and the entire country is mourning the Ahmedabad Air India plane crash, yet the Prime Minister has chosen to embark on an international tour,” Lallu commented.
“While he is away, I hope that if PM Modi meets US President Trump during the G7 summit, he will inquire about Trump's repeated claims of credit regarding the ceasefire between India and Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh took to social media to criticize the PM’s frequent travels and his silence on domestic issues.
“This marks his 35th overseas trip since May 2023, while he has yet to visit or meet anyone from Manipur,” Ramesh pointed out, highlighting the ongoing ethnic crisis in the northeastern state.
He also mocked PM Modi’s supporters, stating, “They used to assert that he wouldn’t attend the G7 even if invited. It seems now that Canada was reluctant to extend an invitation.”