New Delhi [India], July 31: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning his foreign policy approach following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of 25 percent tariffs on India and his repeated claims of having averted a war between India and Pakistan.
Speaking to reporters, Vadra expressed dismay, stating, “Everybody has seen what the American President has said about tariffs, and he repeated that he stopped the war between India and Pakistan. India will have to respond to both issues. PM Modi goes everywhere, makes friends, and then this is what we get.”
Samajwadi Party chief and Lok Sabha MP Akhilesh Yadav also weighed in, criticizing the Centre’s handling of foreign policy and warning of the “beginning of bad days.”
“For the last 11 years, this government has kept making claims of friendship, and today we are seeing the results. This is the beginning of bad days. The youth of this country need jobs. If the economy improves, employment will be available. If there are such hindrances, what will happen to the economy of our country?” Yadav told reporters, highlighting the potential economic impact of the tariffs.
Trump’s recent statements have sent ripples through India’s political landscape. The US President had previously indicated that Washington was continuing trade negotiations with India. However, in a press conference at the White House, held to mark the signing of a Congressional bill, Trump confirmed the 25 percent tariff.
In response to a query from ANI about ongoing negotiations, Trump had stated, “We’re talking to them now. We’ll see what happens. Again, India was the highest or just about the highest tariff nation in the world, one of the highest, 100 points, 150 points or percentages. So India was one of the highest in the world. They had 175 per cent and higher than that.”
He further emphasized that India would face additional penalties for purchasing Russian oil, underscoring that India is among the countries imposing high tariffs on the US.
The criticisms from opposition leaders come amidst heightened scrutiny of India’s international standing and economic policies. Sources