The Congress on Monday mocked the Centre after US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could raise tariffs on India “very quickly”, saying the government’s show of personal diplomacy with the US leader has brought little real benefit.
The opposition’s remarks came soon after Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of his displeasure over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil and suggested trade penalties could follow if New Delhi did not change course.
Congress says personal diplomacy has failed
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh used Trump’s comments to attack the government, arguing that public displays of friendship with the US President had not helped India when it mattered. In a post on X, he said, “The PM’s good friend in the White House continues his ‘blow hot, blow cold’ approach to India. He has yet again threatened higher tariffs on US imports from India if India did not stop buying oil from Russia.”
Ramesh also took aim at high-profile events and public gestures that once highlighted ties between the two leaders, saying, “All those Namaste Trump, Howdy Modi events, all those (forced) hugs, and all those social media posts hailing the US President have done very little good.”
Trump links tariffs to Russian oil purchases
Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters on Sunday aboard Air Force One during his return to Washington DC from Florida. Speaking about his interactions with Prime Minister Modi, Trump said, “They (India) wanted to make me happy, basically. Modi is a very good man; he is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy. They do trade and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly. It would be very bad for them.”
His comments followed statements from US Senator Lindsey Graham, who was also travelling with him. Graham said tariffs imposed by Trump were the “chief reason” India was now cutting back on Russian oil imports. He also referred to a proposed tariff bill that would impose 500 per cent duties on imports from countries that continue to buy Russian oil.
According to Graham, putting pressure on Russia’s customers was necessary to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump later said sanctions were hitting Russia hard, after which Graham stated that the US had imposed a 25 per cent tariff on India over its Russian oil purchases.