The Congress on Thursday criticised the Centre following the signing of the US-Iran peace agreement, arguing that the pact's designation as the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" reflects Pakistan's growing regional and global influence and represents a setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh noted that the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran had been officially released.
"The fact that it is called the Islamabad MOU shows the new-found regional standing and global influence of Pakistan, a country that had once been isolated on the global stage by Dr. Manmohan Singh following the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008," Ramesh said on X.
"This is a severe setback to both the substance and style of Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy. Pakistan is now even more deeply embedded in the geopolitical and security architecture of West Asia which has grave and great implications for India," he said.
Describing the agreement as a significant development, Ramesh said, "The MoU, if it holds in letter and spirit, is a major advance."
"But it also has the potential for becoming a Memorandum of Misunderstanding from both sides. For the time being, all that can be said is that the next 60 days will be crucial," he added.
Ramesh further said the agreement had yielded important gains for Iran. "The MoU itself has very significant and even unexpected gains for Iran, which has demonstrated its resistance and resilience."
Referring to regional reactions, he said the Gulf Cooperation Council countries had responded cautiously and may reassess their diplomatic ties.
"The GCC countries that have borne the full weight of Iran's counter-attacks have cautiously welcomed the MoU but they will undoubtedly rethink their relationships with other countries," he said.
Ramesh also targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating, "The MoU is a definite defeat for the Prime Minister of Israel who can still torpedo it in different ways. Benjamin Netanyahu stands isolated internationally with even President Trump giving public expression to his anger and frustration with him."
"Only Modi remains steadfast in his support of Netanyahu's actions in the region -- including in Lebanon, Gaza, and the occupied West Bank. This blind devotion to Israel by Modi is costing our country dearly," he said.
The Congress leader further argued that the agreement exposed the limits of military intervention.
"The MoU represents a serious blow to the US that along with Israel started the war with Iran on February 28 this year with maximalist aims that have just not been realised."
"The limits of military power have been once again exposed. Modi's continuing appeasement of Trump - the latest evidence of which is the MEA readout of the Trump-Modi bilateral meeting last night - is shameful and actually anti-national," he claimed.
His remarks came after US President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iran that provides for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and includes the lifting of US-backed sanctions, allowing Iran to resume oil exports.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the development on X, saying, "I am honoured to announce that the historic 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding' has been electronically signed today between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Memorandum has been signed by honourable Presidents of both the countries and also endorsed by me as the mediator."
"The signing of this agreement at the highest level of the respective governments demonstrates the commitment of both sides to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict," he said.
Sharif added that the agreement would take effect immediately. "The Islamabad MoU shall enter into force with immediate effect and as a first step, the Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade."
(With inputs from PTI)
