Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
India on Thursday lashed out at US President Donald Trump for endorsing a post that described India as a “hellhole on the planet”, saying such remarks were “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste”, and that they did not reflect the true nature of bilateral ties.
Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi had taken note of both the original comments on social media and a subsequent clarification issued by the US Embassy.
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“We have seen the comments, as also the subsequent statement issued by the US Embassy in response. The remarks are obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste. They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests,” Jaiswal said.
HOW DID THE CONTROVERSY ERUPT?
The controversy erupted after Trump, on Truth Social, reposted content from conservative radio host Michael Savage, whose remarks referred to countries, including India and China, among “hellholes on the planet”, while criticising birthright citizenship in the US.
On his Savage Nation podcast, Savage argued against the Citizenship Clause, which grants citizenship to most children born on US soil, including those whose parents are undocumented or temporarily residing in the country. He claimed the policy is misused by immigrants from countries such as India and China.
In comments shared by Trump, Savage said that a child born in the US becomes an “instant citizen” and later enables family members from countries including India and China to immigrate.
“A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring in their entire family from China, or India or some other hellhole on the planet,” the letter stated.
Trump reposted both a transcript and video clip from the podcast, in which Savage criticised the role of the US Supreme Court in shaping birthright citizenship law and called for the issue to be decided through a national referendum.
The letter accompanying Savage’s remarks went further, describing Indian and Chinese immigrants as “gangsters with laptops” who have “stepped on our flag”.
Earlier in the day, India signalled its displeasure without directly criticising Trump. Responding to questions about the controversy, Randhir Jaiswal said, “We’ve seen some reports. That’s where I’ll leave it.”
Hours after Trump’s remarks, the US Embassy went on damage control, emphasising Washington’s ties with New Delhi. “The President has said ‘India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top’,” an embassy spokesperson said.
Trump highlighted Savage’s remarks as he continues a legal battle over birthright citizenship. His administration is challenging lower court rulings that blocked an executive order aimed at limiting automatic citizenship for some US-born children.
The order, signed shortly after Trump returned to office in January 2025, targeted children born to parents living in the US illegally or temporarily. It triggered multiple legal challenges, with several courts blocking its implementation and at least one judge describing it as unconstitutional.
CONGRESS SLAMS PM MODI
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Trump following the controversy and asked whether he will get some time to react to this “intimidation” and “indignation” of 140 crore Indians.
He also asked what PM Modi was scared of and what is stopping India from raising the issue at the highest level with the American government.
“Modi ji’s dear friend, ‘Namaste Trump’ has shared a note abusing India and using an extremely disparaging term. Modi ji remains absolutely mum on these ridiculous utterances. MEA spokesperson said, ‘That is where I leave it’,” he tweeted.
“Narendra Modi ji, what are you scared of? Indians have played a vital role in America’s success. What is stopping us from raising this at the highest levels of the American government?” he asked.
– Ends
(with inputs from PTI)
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
