India Faces Political Challenges from China, America, and Pakistan, Says Congress

The Congress party has sounded the alarm on India’s growing foreign policy vulnerability, claiming the country is being strategically cornered by a triangle of pressure from China, the United States, and Pakistan. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday (July 31, 2025), said that recent international developments signal a diplomatic setback for the Modi government.

Ramesh pointed to a series of actions by U.S. President Donald Trump, especially his public backing of Pakistan’s energy exploration and support for international financial aid to Islamabad, which he said strengthen India’s adversaries while leaving New Delhi diplomatically isolated.

“India now has to deal with three coordinated political challenges – from China, America, and Pakistan,” Ramesh warned. “Each is pursuing its strategic interest, while India’s government is adrift.”

Trump’s Support to Pakistan: Energy and Aid

Ramesh’s comments come in the wake of a controversial announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump on July 30, in which he revealed that Washington would assist Pakistan in exploring and developing its oil and gas reserves.

The White House statement, made just before Trump’s sweeping tariff hikes against multiple countries, said the U.S. would “unlock energy potential in Pakistan as a step toward regional security and development.”

This was Trump’s second major endorsement of Pakistan within a week, the first being his vocal support for financial packages from both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to the struggling South Asian country.

Ramesh argued that these steps were deeply strategic, designed to boost Pakistan’s economic strength and geopolitical relevance, and they signal a shift in American posture in South Asia.

“This is not just about energy or loans. This is about signalling. Washington is now visibly leaning toward Pakistan, while ignoring India’s strategic interests,” Ramesh said.

Congress: Modi Government Is Silent and Ineffective

The Congress leader accused the Modi government of silence and paralysis in the face of these developments. He claimed that India’s foreign policy lacks direction, and that the government has failed to build strong alliances, either with Western democracies or regional neighbours.

“Whether it is China’s border aggression, America’s U-turn on Pakistan, or Pakistan’s growing leverage, New Delhi has no coherent response. We are being diplomatically squeezed from all sides,” he alleged.

Ramesh also questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had not issued a formal protest or statement regarding the Trump administration’s growing support to Pakistan.

China Factor: Border Tensions and Strategic Collusion

Alongside American overtures to Pakistan, Congress leaders highlighted the ongoing standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which has remained tense for over four years now. Recent satellite images show increased Chinese military activity, especially in the Depsang and Demchok sectors.

“The strategic coordination between China and Pakistan has always been a concern. But now, with America tilting toward Islamabad, we are facing a three-pronged challenge,” Ramesh said.

He also raised concerns about the absence of India’s voice in major global forums. “Why is India not at the table when global trade realignments are taking place? Why are we not influencing the agenda when U.S. foreign policy pivots in our backyard?” he asked.

IMF and World Bank Loans to Pakistan: A Diplomatic Blow?

The Congress party has interpreted U.S.-backed financial support to Pakistan as a geopolitical move, not just an economic gesture.

Pakistan has recently secured a $6 billion package from the IMF, and the World Bank is in talks for infrastructure funding linked to energy development and debt relief.

Ramesh noted that these developments give Pakistan greater freedom to ramp up defence spending, including on border security and military procurement – areas that directly affect India’s national security calculus.

“While India faces rising inflation and declining exports, Pakistan is being gifted a financial runway by institutions backed by Washington,” he said.

Political Messaging Ahead of 2025 Elections

While Jairam Ramesh’s remarks are rooted in foreign policy analysis, they also serve a clear political purpose. With national elections due in early 2026, the Congress party is attempting to build a narrative of Modi’s weakening global influence.

Congress has repeatedly claimed that the Prime Minister focuses too much on event-based diplomacy – such as high-profile summits and rallies abroad – and too little on sustained multilateral engagement.

Ramesh said India’s approach must shift to “strategic pragmatism”, engaging with diverse blocs, from ASEAN and Africa to Latin America and the EU, while rebalancing ties with the United States.

“We must not become a passive observer of world events. India should shape them. Today, we are being shaped by others,” he concluded.

What Happens Next?

With Trump’s actions triggering a new chapter in U.S.-Pakistan relations, and China deepening its military posture, the pressure is now on New Delhi to recalibrate its diplomatic tools.

Experts suggest India may respond with:

• High-level diplomatic talks with Washington through back channels.

• A formal note of concern via the Ministry of External Affairs.

• Engagement with Quad partners (Japan, Australia, U.S.) to counterbalance Chinese and Pakistani assertiveness.

Whether these tensions will result in long-term geopolitical realignments remains uncertain. But for now, India finds itself walking a tightrope between strategic autonomy and global pressure.

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