New Delhi [India], July 31: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of observing a “Maun Vrat” (vow of silence) in Parliament. Kharge’s remarks came as the opposition demanded answers on US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims regarding a “ceasefire” between India and Pakistan and the recently imposed 25 percent tariffs on Indian exports.
“Modi had observed a silent fast in the Parliament on Trump’s statements on CEASEFIRE. Now will Modi remain silent on the baseless allegations made by Trump on India? Narendra Modi, Nation comes first and we are always with the nation,” Kharge posted on X, referring to Modi’s earlier silence on Trump’s purported mediation claims regarding India-Pakistan tensions.
Kharge further lambasted the government over the new US tariffs, which he warned would “affect the country’s trade, MSMEs, and farmers.” He took a direct jibe at the Prime Minister’s personal diplomacy with Trump, stating, “This is how your friend — ‘Namaste Trump’ and ‘Abki Baar Trump Sarkar’ rewarded our country for your friendship?”
The Congress chief highlighted the severe implications of the tariffs: “Trump has imposed 25% Tariff + Penalty on us. This will harm the country’s trade, MSMEs and farmers will also be adversely affected. Many industries will suffer huge losses. Your ministers have been talking about negotiating a trade deal with the US for months. Some even camped in Washington for several days.”
Kharge also argued that Trump’s stated reasons for imposing the tariffs, which include India’s oil imports and weapon purchases from Russia, as well as its membership in BRICS and BRICS’s perceived “attack on US dollar,” constitute a “severe blow to India’s national policy of ‘Strategic Autonomy.'” He emphasized the historical importance of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) for India’s foreign policy, stating, “History is witness that Non-Alignment has been a very important policy for us. All governments, irrespective of the party, have strengthened friendship with the countries of the world in the interest of the country.”
He drew a parallel to the UPA government’s achievements, recalling how former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh secured a nuclear waiver from 45 countries, including the US, without binding India to procure nuclear fuel solely from the US. “Your government’s foreign policy has dealt a severe blow to that national policy,” Kharge asserted.
Expressing deep concern, Kharge concluded by highlighting Trump’s alleged talks of a deal with Pakistan on oil reserves and direct threats to India. “Trump is talking about doing a deal with Pakistan on Oil Reserves. He is threatening India. And you are sitting silently. We are worried about this new America-China-Pakistan Axis. Instead of worrying about PR, Modi government should worry about the country,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Trump, in a post on Truth Social, had made disparaging remarks about India’s economic ties with Russia. “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care… India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25%, plus a penalty for the above, starting on August 1st. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. MAGA!” Trump stated.
This political fallout comes shortly after PM Modi’s statement in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, where he recounted an incident after “Operation Sindoor” (carried out in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack), claiming no world leader asked India to stop its operations and that he conveyed a strong message to the US Vice President about India’s retaliatory capabilities.