Key Points

Jairam Ramesh slammed PM Modi's personalized diplomacy with Trump after the US imposed steep tariffs on India. He cited Modi's 2019 "Ab ki Baar Trump Sarkar" remark as proof of failed foreign policy. The Congress leader urged Modi to learn from Indira Gandhi's strong stance against US pressure. The tariffs come amid tensions over India's Russian oil imports.

Key Points: Jairam Ramesh Slams Modi's Huglomacy After Trump Tariffs Hit India

  • Jairam Ramesh blames Modi's 'huglomacy' for US tariff hike
  • Cites 2019 Howdy Modi event where Modi backed Trump
  • Urges policy reset inspired by Indira Gandhi
  • US imposes 50% tariffs citing Russian oil imports
3 min read

Jairam Ramesh slams PM Modi's 'Huglomacy', says India's foreign policy needs comprehensive reset

Congress leader criticizes PM Modi's foreign policy approach as US imposes 50% tariffs, urging a reset inspired by Indira Gandhi's stance.

"Now President Trump, while still claiming to be a friend of Mr. Modi, has hit India hard and unjustly. – Jairam Ramesh"

New Delhi, August 6

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday hit out on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for pursuing a headline-grabbing style of "huglomacy" with US President Donald Trump and said that India's foreign policy needs a reset.

The comment came soon after US President Donald Trump slapped additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports over Russian oil purchases.

In a post on X, Ramesh wrote several past instances where PM Modi had actively courted Trump, including hosting and attending grand public events, only to now face harsh tariff actions and diplomatic snubs from the US administration.

https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1953101536537784766

"Now President Trump, while still claiming to be a friend of Mr. Modi, has hit India hard and unjustly. While his tariff and penalty actions are simply unacceptable, the fact remains that they also reflect the abysmal failure of Mr. Modi's personalised and headline-grabbing style of huglomacy," Ramesh wrote in a post on X.

He urged PM Modi to learn from former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's foreign policy stance, saying, "India has stood up to the bullying of the US in the 1970s especially under the Prime Ministership of Smt. Indira Gandhi. Instead of defaming, distorting, and denigrating her, Mr. Modi should shed his ego--if indeed that were possible--and take inspiration from the manner in which she stood up to the USA. India's foreign policy and administration needs a comprehensive reset." "Prime Minister Modi went to the US and attended a Howdy Modi event in Houston in Sept 2019. President Trump was also present and Mr. Modi broke with all tradition and declared 'Ab ki Baar Trump Sarkar'," the post later added.

Earlier in a day, US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India in response to New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil.

According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States.

After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions.

The Executive Order also allows for modifications based on changing circumstances, including potential retaliation by other countries or steps taken by Russia or India to address the national emergency.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Aditi M
Typical opposition rhetoric! Modi ji has elevated India's global standing like never before. One tariff decision doesn't undo years of diplomatic achievements. Remember how the world stood with us during Galwan? 🙏
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Siddharth J
The "Ab ki Baar Trump Sarkar" comment aged like milk! We need to be more careful about openly endorsing foreign leaders. Our foreign policy should be about national interest, not personal chemistry between leaders.
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Priyanka N
Why always compare with Indira Gandhi? Every era has different challenges. Today we're dealing with complex US-China-Russia dynamics. Modi government has handled it well overall, though this tariff is disappointing 😕
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Karan T
The real issue is we're too dependent on foreign powers. Time to focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat in energy sector too. If we had our own oil production at scale, we wouldn't be in this mess. #MakeInIndia
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Nisha Z
Both sides have valid points. Personal diplomacy has its place, but we can't ignore that Trump's actions show America only cares about American interests. We should diversify our partnerships more strategically.
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David E
As an expat in India, I find this debate fascinating. Modi's personal diplomacy

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