DMK Leader Kanimozhi Lambasts Jaishankar Over India’s Diplomatic Isolation in IMF Loan Vote for Pakistan
Chennai, May 11, 2025 – DMK leader Kanimozhi has sharply criticized External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, accusing the Indian government of failing to garner international support following India’s solitary abstention in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) vote approving a $2.5 billion loan to Pakistan. The critique, which emerged amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, has reignited debates over India’s foreign policy and its global standing.
Kanimozhi’s remarks focused on India’s decision to abstain from the IMF vote on May 10, 2025, making it the only nation among the 25-member panel not to approve the loan. This decision came despite India’s allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in recent terror attacks, including the April 22, 2025, attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. India has attributed the attack to Pakistan-based terrorist groups, a charge Pakistan has consistently denied.
The DMK leader expressed frustration over the lack of support from G7 nations, including France, a key supplier of India’s Rafale fighter jets, which refrained from explicitly condemning Pakistan for its alleged role in cross-border terrorism. She also criticized the United States for pressuring India into agreeing to a ceasefire on May 11, 2025, at a time when India claimed military superiority following Operation Sindoor—a targeted operation against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
The ceasefire, reportedly influenced by U.S. diplomatic efforts linking the IMF loan to de-escalation, has been a point of contention. India’s operation had successfully hit its targets, but the U.S. intervention, backed by G7 calls for dialogue, forced India to halt its military actions. Kanimozhi argued that this move left India isolated, with its concerns about terrorism overshadowed by international financial and geopolitical priorities.
She also highlighted the human cost of the ongoing conflict, pointing to the grief of families affected by terror attacks in Pahalgam and Poonch, as well as the loss of young lives in targeted killings. Her comments underscored a broader sentiment that India is being forced to bear the burden of terrorism alone, without adequate backing from the international community.
The IMF vote has drawn domestic criticism as well, with opposition parties like the Congress questioning why India did not push harder to block the loan, citing fears that the funds could be diverted to support terrorist activities. The Indian finance ministry, however, clarified that the IMF voting system does not allow a direct “no” vote, leaving abstention as the strongest form of dissent. India also raised concerns about the effectiveness of IMF programs in Pakistan, a view that found some sympathy among other member countries but did not alter the outcome.
The fragile ceasefire has already shown signs of strain, with India accusing Pakistan of violations along the Line of Control within hours of the agreement. Meanwhile, Kanimozhi’s critique has put the spotlight on the Modi government’s foreign policy approach, with many questioning how India can navigate its security concerns in a global landscape where allies appear reluctant to take a firm stand against terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Her remarks have resonated with sections of the public who see India’s historical self-reliance—such as during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war—as a reminder that the nation may need to depend on its own strength rather than international support. As tensions with Pakistan persist, the DMK leader’s pointed criticism has added pressure on Jaishankar and the government to address these diplomatic challenges head-on.
