New Delhi, August 5: India’s main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi following fresh threats from former US President Donald Trump to impose higher tariffs on India. Trump accused New Delhi of buying large volumes of discounted Russian oil and allegedly reselling it for profit.
Reacting sharply, Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said Trump’s remarks expose the failure of Modi’s foreign policy strategy, sarcastically dubbed “hugplomacy” — a reference to Modi’s famously personal and public displays of warmth toward global leaders, including Trump.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Ramesh referenced a classic Hindi film song, “Dost dost na raha” (Friend, no longer a friend), implying a breakdown in India-US ties despite Modi’s overtures.
The comment comes amid growing political heat in India over the government’s foreign policy moves, especially with the US, as Trump continues to campaign for a return to the White House in 2025. On Monday, Trump stated he would “substantially raise” tariffs on India if elected again, criticising India’s oil trade with Russia despite Western sanctions.
Ramesh also criticised India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for what he called a “meek” response to the allegations. The MEA had issued a brief statement calling Trump’s accusations “unjustified and unreasonable,” but avoided any direct rebuttal or escalation.
“Why is the Prime Minister silent? It’s his personal diplomacy that’s under question. He must answer,” said Ramesh, arguing that the issue has implications for India’s global standing.
India has significantly increased imports of Russian crude oil since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, taking advantage of steep discounts. Indian officials have consistently defended the policy as essential for energy security, while maintaining that the oil is consumed domestically and not re-exported.
The latest tensions underscore the shifting nature of India-US relations, which have generally warmed in recent years but remain susceptible to change — especially with leadership transitions in Washington.
Modi and Trump previously projected strong personal chemistry during Trump’s visit to India in 2020 and Modi’s visit to the US in 2019, where both leaders addressed large Indian diaspora rallies. However, Trump’s renewed criticism suggests the bilateral equation could shift dramatically if he returns to power.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not yet formally responded to either Trump’s comments or the Congress party’s attack.