September 25, 2025

In a fiery India-US showdown, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi did not hold back on Wednesday. Speaking at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, Gandhi claimed Indian foreign policy was in a mess because of the Modi government. "Foreign policy is not conducted on the basis of personal friendships," he said, hitting out at the Prime Minister's close ties with US leaders. Gandhi urged PM Modi to "stand up to Trump and keep India's national interest at the forefront," according to sources who attended the meeting. Not just Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also took a sharp swipe at Modi. Opening the CWC session, Kharge said India is going through a tough time globally and blamed Modi’s diplomacy. "Our problems at the international level are the result of the diplomatic failure of Narendra Modi and his government," Kharge charged. He also remarked, "The very friends whom the prime minister boasts about as 'my friends' are today putting India in numerous troubles." These remarks come after US President Donald Trump spoke at the United Nations General Assembly, accusing China and India as "primary funders" of the Ukraine war because they keep buying Russian oil. Responding harshly, the Trump administration slapped India with an extra 25% tariff for its Russian oil purchases. This makes the total US tariffs on India a whopping 50%, among the highest in the world. India calls these tariffs "unjustified and unreasonable." The country has firmly said it must "take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security," just like any major economy would. Adding to the tension, the Trump administration last week announced a one-time USD 1,00,000 fee on H-1B visas, which help Indian tech workers come to the US. Is Modi’s personal friendship approach burning India’s bridges on the world stage? Congress leaders seem to think so, calling for a bold push to protect India’s interests instead of relying on friendships that may be turning sour.

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Tags: Rahul gandhi, Narendra modi, Us tariffs, H-1b visa, India-us relations, Trump administration,