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Understand the difference: Rahul Gandhi takes dig at govt over Trump's remarks
Jan-07-2026

Following US President Donald Trump's recent remarks on his ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and tariffs, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a strong attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of ‘surrendering’ under ‘pressure’ and contrasted his leadership with that of former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi's comment came a day after US President Donald Trump's statement at a House GOP members' retreat, where Trump claimed that Prime Minister Modi was eager to meet him. Trump said, ‘Prime Minister Modi came to me. 'Sir, can I meet you' Yes.’ Trump also referred to India facing steep tariffs, saying New Delhi was ‘paying a lot of tariffs now’ and had ‘reduced’ the purchase of Russian oil ‘substantially’.

Congress leader Gandhi said, ‘Farq samjho, sir ji’. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha shared his own old video in which he had alleged that Prime Minister Modi ‘surrendered’ after a call from US President Trump during the India-Pakistan military conflict.

Drawing a comparison with the 1971 war, Gandhi said India had once stood firm despite US pressure. ‘You might remember a time when the phone call didn’t come - the Seventh Fleet had come. In the 1971 war, the Seventh Fleet came, weapons came, an aircraft carrier came. Indira Gandhi ji said, ‘I will do what I have to do.’ This is the difference,’ Gandhi said, referring to the United States Seventh Fleet.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh also shared a video of Trump's remarks and said, ‘From Namaste Trump to Howdy Modi to Donald bhai and now this. What next?’.

Trump has imposed tariffs totalling 50% on Indian exports, including a 25% levy linked to India’s procurement of Russian oil. The tariffs, imposed in August, have triggered multiple rounds of trade talks and at least four conversations between the two leaders, but have yet to yield a bilateral trade deal. Trump also said in his remarks that India had flagged delays in the delivery of Apache helicopters, claiming New Delhi has been waiting for the aircraft for five years.

The opposition party's dig had come after Trump said Prime Minister Modi knew he was not happy with India's purchases of Russian oil and that Washington can raise tariffs on New Delhi ‘very quickly’.




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