ISLAMABAD: The Indian National Congress has strongly criticised theNarendra Modi government following the conclusion of a joint militaryexercise between the United States and Pakistan, describing it as asignificant blow to India’s foreign policy credentials. Congress leaderJairam Ramesh highlighted the “Inspired Gambit 2026” drill, which wrappedup this week at Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Pabbi, asevidence of deepening US-Pakistan defence ties amid ongoing regionaltensions. This development has sparked concerns in New Delhi over perceiveddiplomatic isolation, raising questions about the effectiveness of thegovernment’s self-proclaimed global leadership role.
The exercise, spanning January 8 to 16, focused on enhancingcounterterrorism capabilities through combined infantry skills, tacticaloperations, and interoperability between the two armies. It marked the 13thiteration of this bilateral series, which began in 1995, underscoring thelong-standing military-to-military relationship between Washington andIslamabad. US Central Command issued a statement affirming that suchtraining strengthens enduring defence cooperation, contributing to sharedobjectives in addressing evolving security threats in South Asia and beyond.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, responsible for communications,reacted sharply on social media, stating that the drill represents anothersetback to what he termed the Modi government’s “self-boastful diplomacy”as a global leader. He referenced a June 2025 statement by the then USCentral Command chief, General Michael Kurilla, who described Pakistan as a”phenomenal partner” in counterterrorism efforts. Ramesh argued thatcontinued US engagement with Pakistan undermines India’s narrative ofdiplomatic dominance, especially given historical frictions overcross-border terrorism.
The timing of the exercise has intensified political debate in India, as itfollows recent US statements praising Pakistan’s military leadershipdespite allegations of provocative actions linked to regional incidents.Ramesh pointed to US President Donald Trump’s repeated expressions ofadmiration for Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, as well asclaims of intervention in past India-Pakistan tensions, including haltingcertain operations through diplomatic pressure. These elements, hesuggested, reflect a pragmatic US approach that prioritisescounterterrorism collaboration over exclusive alignment with India.
Defence analysts observe that US-Pakistan military ties have shown signs ofrenewal, characterised by joint training, potential arms sales, andhigh-level rhetoric from Washington. The “Inspired Gambit 2026” drillaligns with broader efforts to build interoperability in complexenvironments, such as urban warfare and counterterrorism scenarios.Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations emphasised the exercise’s rolein refining tactics and sharing expertise, reinforcing commitments toregional peace and stability.
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This episode highlights the intricate dynamics of US foreign policy inSouth Asia, where Washington balances partnerships with both India andPakistan to address mutual challenges like terrorism. While India enjoysstrategic partnerships with the US in areas such as the Indo-Pacific,periodic military engagements with Pakistan indicate a diversifiedapproach. The Congress party’s critique frames this as a failure of theModi administration to isolate Pakistan diplomatically, contrasting withclaims of transformative foreign policy achievements.
The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of India’s regional strategy,with opposition voices questioning whether New Delhi’s outreach has yieldedtangible results in curbing external support for alleged threats. Asbilateral defence ties between the US and Pakistan continue to evolvethrough institutional mechanisms, the political discourse in India remainspolarised over the implications for national security and internationalstanding.
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