NEW DELHI: Congress party on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of compromising India’s national interests and foreign policy autonomy after US President Donald Trump announced tariffs and penalties against Indian trade. This comes in the wake of Trump’s dramatic statement criticising India’s relationship with Russia and imposing a 25% tariff on all goods beginning August 1, coupled with an unspecified penalty for New Delhi’s ongoing oil and defense trade with Moscow. “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” Trump said, escalating tensions. He further accused India of maintaining ‘some of the highest tariffs in the world’ and claimed the US had ‘done very little business’ with the country.
Congress questions PM Modi’s foreign policy ‘friendship’
Reacting sharply, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the Modi government’s silence over Trump’s remarks and punitive economic measures. Taking to X, he said, “Modi ji had observed a “Maun Vrat” (vow of silence) in the Parliament on Donald Trump’s statements on ceasefire. Will Modi ji remain silent on the baseless allegations made by Trump on India?” The Congress chief pointed out that the US tariffs would severely impact exports, small businesses, farmers, and industries. “This will harm the country’s trade; MSMEs and farmers will also be adversely affected. Many industries will suffer heavy losses. Your ministers have been talking about negotiating a trade deal with America for months. Some of them camped in Washington for several days,” he added. The party recalled how BJP leaders once boasted of their ‘personal chemistry’ with Trump during high-profile events like ‘Namaste Trump’ and slogans like ‘Abki Baar Trump Sarkar’. “This is how your friend — “Namaste Trump” and “Abki Baar Trump Sarkar” rewarded our country for your friendship?”he added.
Strategic autonomy undermined?
Kharge pointed out that Trump’s rationale for the penalty—India’s oil and weapons imports from Russia, and its participation in BRICS—was a direct attack on India’s sovereign foreign policy. He highlighted that past governments, including the UPA under Dr. Manmohan Singh, safeguarded India’s independence in global affairs by securing the nuclear deal with US, we never compromised on India’s right to choose its partners,” the party noted.“The US supported us. For that, they changed their own law. But India was not bound to take Nuclear Fuel and Material only from the US. Our options were open. Your government’s foreign policy has dealt a severe blow to that National Policy,” he added.
US–Pakistan deal raises alarm
Adding to India’s unease, Trump also announced a new energy partnership with Pakistan, claiming US would help Islamabad develop its ‘massive oil reserves.’ Though the reserves remain largely unexplored and unverified, Trump hinted that one day Pakistan might even sell oil to India.“The Congress party raised concerns about this unexpected shift. He is threatening India. And you are sitting silent? We are worried about this new America-China-Pakistan Axis. Instead of worrying about PR, Modi Govt should think about the country,” he added.
