'What Happened to MIGA + MAGA = MEGA?': Chidambaram mocks PM Modi over Trump trade fallout

File photo of PM Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump addressing media in Washington.

Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over latest tariff decision by US President Donald Trump. In a post on X, Chidambaram called the 25 percent tariff announcement by Trump administration as ‘clear violation of the WTO rules.’ Taking a jibe at PM Modi, the Congress leader said, “'Dosti' is no substitute for diplomacy and painstaking negotiations.” Recalling PM Modi’s statement during his Washington visit earlier this year, Chidambaram asked, “ What happened to MIGA + MAGA = MEGA?”

PM Modi has made this remark during his joint address with President Trump in his February 14 address.” “The people of America are well aware of President Trump’s motto ‘MAGA - Make America Great Again.’ The people of India too are focusing on heritage and development as they move forward at a fast pace and with a firm resolve towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. In the language of America, it’s Make India Great Again - MIGA,” PM Modi had said.

Apart from Chidambaram, another senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has also slammed the Centre over trade fallout.

“President Trump's stance towards India is becoming increasingly stern! Since May 10, Trump has claimed 30 times that he halted Operation Sindoor. He has made these claims in four different countries. On June 18, he hosted the Pakistan Army Chief and the mastermind of the Pahalgam terrorist attacks for lunch at the White House. On July 30, he imposed a 25% tariff on exports from India to the U.S. and additional penalties on India’s oil and defense purchases from Russia. Additionally, he placed sanctions on at least six Indian companies accused of having ties with Iran,” Ramesh said on X.

“On the same day, Trump also announced that the U.S. would assist Pakistan in the exploration and development of its oil (and gas) reserves. This is separate from the financial aid he has already helped Pakistan secure from the IMF and World Bank. Prime Minister Modi used to talk about the TOP challenge—Tomato, Onion, and Potato prices—in the country. Now India is facing a CAP challenge—political threats emerging from China, America, and Pakistan. PM Modi invested heavily in his personal friendship with President Trump, just as he had earlier with President Xi Jinping. But now both leaders have clearly understood how they can be handled through their egos and narcissistic nature,” Ramesh added.