‘Blow to self-proclaimed Vishwaguru’s self-boastful diplomacy’: Congress on U.S.-Pakistan military exercise

The Congress on Saturday (January 17, 2026) came down hard on the Modi government, saying the joint training exercise of American and Pakistani troops was “yet another blow to the self-proclaimed Vishwaguru’s arrogant diplomacy”.

US and Pakistani soldiers completed a joint training at the National Counterterrorism Center in Pabbi during exercise ‘Inspiring Gambit 2026’.

Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary for communications Jairam Ramesh said: “In a fresh blow to self-proclaimed Vishwaguru’s cocky diplomacy, US Central Command has just issued a statement saying that US and Pakistan Army soldiers have completed joint training exercises…” In June 2025, US Central Command Chief General Michael Kunilla had hailed Pakistan as an “exceptional partner” in the fight against terrorism. Ramesh said.

“President Trump has repeatedly expressed his deep admiration for Field Marshal Asim Munir, whose incendiary and socially provocative remarks formed the immediate background of the terrorist attacks by Pakistan in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025,” Mr. Ramesh told X

“Just yesterday, President Trump reiterated that he intervened to stop Operation Sindoor by May 10, 2025,” he added.

Training exercises like these between the United States and Pakistan strengthen the two countries’ long-standing defense ties. Dawn It was reported on Saturday, January 17, 2026, quoting a statement issued by US Central Command (Centcom).

The joint exercise concluded this week with a focus on combined infantry skills and tactics and counter-terrorism operations, the statement said.

The exercise, which took place between January 8 and 16, came at a time when there were broader signs of renewed interaction between the two defense institutions, the report said.