Opposition
The prime minister’s ‘inexplicable unwillingness to stand up for’ the country’s sovereignty ‘where it matters is worrying’, the Opposition party said.
World leaders at the G7 summit held in France between June 15, 2026 and June 17, 2026.
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Ludovic Marin/AFP
The Congress on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France for the Group of Seven summit, saying that he had failed to defend India’s energy interests, economic priorities and strategic autonomy.
India was an invitee at the event.
“The Congress had hoped that…Modi would leverage the G7 Summit in France as an opportunity to assert India’s leadership role in the Global South…,” the party said. “Instead, the summit exposed a troubling gap between rhetoric and results.”
The Congress alleged that during Modi’s bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday, the prime minister neither defended India’s energy sovereignty, nor secured a sanctions waiver that would have allowed the country to continue importing Russian oil.
“This is a missed opportunity…,” the party said. “As a result, Indians will continue to face the brunt of higher fuel and consumer prices.”
In August, the US had imposed a punitive levy of 25% on India for its purchase of Russian oil. It was removed when the bilateral trade deal was finalised in February.
In March, the US granted Indian refiners a 30-day waiver allowing them to buy Russian oil stranded at sea amid the war in West Asia. In April, the waiver had been extended till May 16.
Since the war in West Asia began on February 28, the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterbody connecting the Gulf to the Arabian Sea, has effectively been blocked for most international commercial vessels, triggering a global energy crisis.
India imports 88% of its crude oil needs and about half of its natural gas requirement. This mostly comes through the strait.
Even though the Indian government is “striving to secure deeper economic partnerships as a legitimate balancing tactic, PM Modi’s inexplicable unwillingness to stand up for India’s interests and sovereignty where it matters is worrying”, Congress said.
Silence ‘tacit acceptance’ of Trump’s assertion, alleges Congress
The Opposition party also said that Modi “inexplicably stayed silent despite the president indirectly claiming that he engineered a ceasefire after Operation Sindoor”.
On Wednesday, while answering a reporter’s question about the war in Ukraine, Trump repeated his claim that he had ended eight conflicts. While Trump did not mention the India-Pakistan conflict of May 2025, he has on several occasions counted it as one of the wars he claims to have mediated an end to. New Delhi has repeatedly rejected Trump’s claims.
The Congress said that Modi’s “silence” could be interpreted as “tacit acceptance of the president’s assertion or an unwillingness to publicly challenge it”.
“It erodes India’s long standing foreign policy principle of not tolerating any third-party mediation in bilateral matters,” the party added.
The Congress also raised concerns about Trump’s offer to “support” Modi.
During the meeting on Wednesday, Trump told reporters that the US will help India if it was attacked, adding that the defence relations between New Delhi and Washington “were great”.
“Without having a contract – we don’t have a contract – but if they were attacked, we would be there to help them...” Trump had said. “If anybody attacks that man [Modi], we’re going to be...If there’s a new leader, I don’t know about that.”
The Congress said that such an offer “could mean an offer to intervene in India’s domestic political affairs or a security commitment in the event of external aggression”.
“…The Bharatiya Janata Party owes the nation an explanation, given its repeated allegations of foreign interference in India,” the Congress said.
Statement issued by the Foreign Affairs Department, @INCIndia on PM Modi's silence on issues of national interest. pic.twitter.com/QHVKrw2QDO
— Salman Khurshid (@salman7khurshid) June 18, 2026
The Opposition party also said that Modi did not raise the “unlawful sinking of the IRIS Dena in India’s strategic backyard and the recent tragic killing of Indian sailors” during his discussions with Trump.
“Both incidents were direct affronts to India’s maritime interests, regional standing and the principles of freedom of navigation and secure trade,” the party said.
Amid the conflict in West Asia, the US sank Iranian warship IRIS Dena in international waters off the Sri Lankan coast on March 4. At least 84 persons died in the incident and dozens were missing. The Sri Lankan Navy had rescued some personnel.
The Iranian frigate had left Visakhapatnam after taking part in the International Fleet Review and the MILAN 2026 naval exercise, which concluded on February 25.
Last week, three Indians were killed and dozens evacuated when the US military repeatedly struck commercial ships in West Asia for allegedly violating sanctions and th…
Read the full article at Scroll.in →📄Source document: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
16 reports
The HinduIndependentCenter3 days agoPrime Minister Narendra Modi met with leading French business executives in Paris on June 18, 2026, discussing investment opportunities and expansion plans in India. The meetings focused on strengthening cooperation in sectors such as shipping, logistics, railways, construction, and artificial intelligence. Modi also attended the G7 Summit and held talks with several world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump. Discussions included topics like maritime shipping, logistics, global supply chains, shipbuilding, ship recycling, and deep-sea port development.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced summary of the meeting between PM Modi and French CEOs without overtly favoring any political perspective. It focuses on economic collaboration and does not include biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing.
Official sources cited
- government External Affairs Ministry
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter3 days agoPrime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump have directed officials to accelerate discussions on a bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the U.S. Trade Representative will visit India soon to continue negotiations. The discussion took place during a meeting at the G7 Summit in Evian, France, where both leaders emphasized the importance of achieving 'certainty' in trade relations. This marks their first meeting in over 16 months.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or selective emphasis. It reports on diplomatic instructions regarding trade negotiations without taking a stance on the potential outcomes or implications of the agreement. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the actions,
Official sources cited
- government Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's statement
Scroll.inIndependentLeft3 days agoCongress criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to defend India's energy interests, economic priorities, and strategic autonomy during his participation in the G7 summit in France. The opposition party expressed concern over Modi's 'inexplicable unwillingness' to assert India's leadership in the Global South and highlighted a perceived gap between rhetoric and results. Congress also pointed out that Modi did not secure a sanctions waiver allowing India to import Russian oil during his bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Bias read (Left): The article presents criticism from the Congress party, which is a major opposition party in India, against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of international diplomacy. The framing emphasizes the failure to protect national interests and highlights the contrast between rhetoric and outcomes,
Official sources cited
- organisation Congress statement on PM Modi's G7 summit performance
NDTVIndependentCenter4 days agoPrime Minister Narendra Modi called for placing human values at the center of AI development during the G7 summit, emphasizing the need for global cooperation to ensure safe deployment of the technology.
Bias read (Center): The article presents Modi's speech without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports his call for human-centric AI and global cooperation without taking a stance on the issue itself.
NDTVIndependentCenter4 days ago PM Modi Flags "Safety Of Seafarers" To Trump Days After Indian Sailor DeathsPrime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns about the safety of seafarers with US President Donald Trump during their meeting at the G7 summit, following recent incidents involving Indian sailors.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a diplomatic exchange between two world leaders regarding maritime safety without taking a stance or using biased language. It focuses on the factual exchange rather than promoting any particular viewpoint.
Official sources cited
- government Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- government US President Donald Trump
NDTVIndependentCenter4 days ago "New Momentum, New Energy In Ties": PM Modi's Top Quotes At Trump MeetingPrime Minister Narendra Modi met with U.S. President Donald Trump during the G7 Summit in France. The two leaders discussed India-U.S. relations, peace initiatives in West Asia, and the security of Indian sailors in light of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral summary of the meeting between PM Modi and President Trump without using biased language or emphasizing any particular viewpoint. It mentions topics of discussion but does not frame them in a way that suggests favoritism toward either leader or country.
NDTVIndependentCenter4 days ago India, European Union Push To Seal Landmark Trade Pact By Year-EndIndia and the European Union are working towards finalizing a landmark trade agreement by the end of the year. This development was discussed during a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the G7 Summit in Evian, France.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on diplomatic efforts to finalize a trade pact without taking a stance on the potential implications of the agreement. It does not use biased language, present one-sided information, or omit relevant context. The focus is on the event itself rather than any ideological framing.
Official sources cited
- government Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- government European Council President Antonio Costa
- government European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
NDTVIndependentCenter4 days ago PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz Review Strategic Partnership At G7 SummitPM Modi and German Chancellor Merz discussed their strategic partnership during the G7 summit, reviewing progress on bilateral initiatives and expressing satisfaction with the renewed momentum in their relationship following Merz's recent visit to India.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a neutral summary of diplomatic discussions between two world leaders without overtly favoring any political perspective. It focuses on the review of bilateral initiatives and mutual satisfaction, avoiding loaded language or one-sided emphasis.
FirstpostParty-alignedCenter4 days agoPrime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns about the deaths of Indian seafarers during his participation in the G7 summit, which was attended by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an event where PM Modi highlighted an issue related to Indian seafarers without apparent bias in framing or sourcing. The content does not show clear leaning towards any political ideology through language, emphasis, or selection of information.
Times of IndiaIndependentCenter4 days agoPrime Minister Narendra Modi met U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time in 16 months during the G7 summit in France. The meeting included a handshake rather than a hug, and both leaders exchanged pleasantries. Modi also held bilateral talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (not Mark Carney), UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During discussions with Trudeau, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to finalizing a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, with a potential deadline set for the G20 summit in December. Modi also强调
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral account of diplomatic interactions without overtly favoring any political side. It reports on standard diplomatic protocols, mutual commitments, and economic agreements without using biased language or selective emphasis.
NDTVIndependentCenter5 days ago With Trump Present, PM Modi's "Indians Also Lost Their Lives" Remark At G7 SummitAt the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a statement highlighting that Indians had also lost their lives, drawing attention to the safety of Indian sailors. This was noted in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a factual statement made by PM Modi regarding the loss of Indian lives, without apparent bias or slanted language. The content does not show a clear ideological leaning.
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter5 days ago PM Modi, Meloni share laugh, discuss ‘Instagram’, days after viral ‘Melodi’ post gets 13M likes | WatchPrime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni interacted at the G7 summit in France, recalling their previous meeting in May when Modi presented Meloni with a pack of Melody toffees. During their conversation, Meloni mentioned 'Instagram,' prompting a brief exchange between the two leaders. The reference to 'Melodi' stems from Meloni's social media post following their earlier encounter.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral account of an interaction between two world leaders without overtly favoring either side. It includes direct quotes and contextual background but avoids any evaluative language or biased interpretation.
Times of IndiaIndependentCenter5 days ago Watch: PM Modi and Donald Trump exchange greetings at G7 Summit ahead of expected talksPrime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump exchanged greetings at the G7 Summit in Evian, France. This marked their first meeting in 16 months since their previous encounter in Washington in February 2025. During their interaction, they discussed strengthening defense ties, increasing military cooperation, technology sharing, and co-producing defense equipment. They also aimed to expand bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 and negotiate the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Modi upon his arrival at the summit.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral account of the interactions between PM Modi and President Trump, focusing on the diplomatic and economic aspects of their discussions without overtly favoring either side. It includes factual details such as the handshake, seating arrangement, and the initiatives they
Official sources cited
- organisation G7 Summit Events
India TodayIndependentCenter5 days agoPrime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump met at the G7 Summit in Evian, France, marking their first public encounter in 16 months. The meeting occurred during the summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral account of the event without apparent ideological framing, loaded language, or selective sourcing. It simply reports the handshake between Modi and Trump as part of the G7 Summit proceedings.
Official sources cited
- government French President Emmanuel Macron
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter7 days ago PM Modi lands in France for G7 Summit, bilateral engagements with MacronPrime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in France for the G7 Summit and bilateral engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron. He was greeted at the airport by France's Education Minister Edouard Geffray and Minister of Higher Education, Research and Space Philippe Baptiste.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral summary of events without editorializing, biased language, or emphasis on any particular perspective. It simply reports on the arrival of PM Modi and the officials who greeted him.
Official sources cited
- government PM Narendra Modi
- government Edouard Geffray
- government Philippe Baptiste
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter8 days ago PM Modi’s France-Slovakia tour to focus on G7 Summit, bilateral tiesPrime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit France and Slovakia from June 13 to 18. His itinerary includes a stop in Nice, France, where he will engage in bilateral discussions.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual overview of PM Modi's upcoming tour without editorializing, using neutral language. It does not include biased language, one-sided sourcing, or omission of context.
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