New Delhi has criticised “inappropriate” remarks concerning Indians and India shared by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account.
The controversy arose after Trump shared a transcript of remarks by podcaster Michael Savage regarding birthright citizenship in the United States.
In the transcript, Savage accused individuals from India and China of abusing citizenship privileges, referring to India and other nations as “hellholes.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs reacted to the comments without specifically naming Trump or Savage, describing the remarks as “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste.”
The ministry stated that such views do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which is built on mutual respect and shared interests.
Domestic backlash and diplomatic friction
The remarks have caused a significant stir within India. The main opposition Congress party labeled the comments as “extremely insulting and anti-Indian,” urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise a formal objection with the US President.
This development occurs as the historically smooth relationship between New Delhi and Washington faces growing challenges.
Trump has consistently pressured India to cease purchasing Russian oil, arguing that these transactions help fund the conflict in Ukraine.
While the US temporarily eased sanctions in March to allow India to acquire stranded Russian oil, underlying tensions remains. Last year, Trump imposed 50% duties on Indian goods, a portion of which served as a penalty for the oil purchases.
Although these tariffs were recently reduced to 18% as part of ongoing trade negotiations, the relationship remains delicate.
Immigration and the H-1B visa programme
The Trump administration has also intensified its crackdown on illegal immigration and voiced concerns regarding the H-1B visa programme.
This programme, which is dominated by Indian skilled professionals, has long been a cornerstone of the US tech sector but remains a point of contention for critics who claim it displaces local workers.
The shared transcript included unsubstantiated allegations by Savage that “white men need not apply” for high-tech jobs in California.
He claimed that internal mechanisms in the industry are set up to be run by Indians and Chinese nationals, though he offered no evidence to support these assertions.
Savage indicated that his comments were prompted by arguments in the US Supreme Court, which is currently hearing a challenge to an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for certain groups.
Upcoming diplomatic efforts
Against this backdrop of trade and immigration friction, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit India next month. The visit is being viewed by many as a vital step toward resetting the strained bilateral ties.
Observers are watching closely to see if the upcoming high-level discussions can address the accumulation of grievances, ranging from energy policy to the rhetoric surrounding the Indian diaspora.
The outcome of the visit remains critical for both nations as they navigate a complex landscape of shared strategic interests and diverging domestic priorities.
