'Why is Modi so afraid of Trump': Congress slams govt over latest tariff threat from US

Rahul Gandhi

Congress on Monday criticised the Narendra Modi-led central government over US President Donald Trump slapping additional tariffs on India.

"Trump is speaking nonsense against India every day, and Narendra Modi is silently listening to everything," said the Congress on X.

"Why is Modi so afraid of Trump?" the post said further.

अब नरेंद्र मोदी के दोस्त ट्रंप ने भारत को खुली धमकी दी है.

"ट्रंप ने कहा है कि मैं भारत पर और ज्यादा टैरिफ लगाऊंगा" ट्रंप का कहना है- भारत बड़ी मात्रा में रूस से तेल खरीद रहा है, और उसे बेचकर बड़ा मुनाफा कमा रहा है. भारत को यूक्रेन में जो मारे जा रहे, उनकी परवाह नहीं है.… pic.twitter.com/WLBSz37ksK — Congress (@INCIndia) August 4, 2025

US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised India for allegedly profiting off Russian oil amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, and announced plans to “substantially” raise tariffs on Indian imports to the United States.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused India of buying “massive amounts of Russian oil” and then reselling it on the open market for “big profits.” He claimed India was unconcerned with the human toll of the conflict in Ukraine, stating, “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine.”

Congress's Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, also took to X to slam the government's silence on the US tariffs.

"So much for Howdy Modi. So much for Namaste Trump. So much for Ab ki Baar Trump Sarkar. So much for BJP MPs hailing Narendra Modi as India's trumpcard," he said.

So much for Howdy Modi. So much for Namaste Trump. So much for Ab ki Baar Trump Sarkar. So much for BJP MPs hailing Narendra Modi as India's trumpcard. Despite all the hugs, all the handshakes, all the high-decibel bromance — “My friend Dolaand” has delivered yet another jolt.… pic.twitter.com/1odZjJ7T8u — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 4, 2025

"Tariffs are being slapped. Negotiations are going nowhere. But Asim Munir, the man whose invective was the backdrop for the Pahalgam terror attacks, gets lunch at the White House," he added.