Jairam Ramesh mocks PM Modi-Trump 'friendship'; Anand Sharma, Manish Tewari say India can't be bullied

Congress on Tuesday mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over US President Donald Trump threatening to further raise tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases, with party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh saying the Modi-Trump friendship has proved expensive for India. Two senior party leaders, Anand Sharma and Manish Tewari, condemned Trump's remarks and said India has the resilience to stand up to his threat and urged the government to call out the 'bullying".

Ramesh told the media, "Claims were made that the PM shares a special bond with President Trump, that they are old friends. What is the result of all of it? Threats of increased tariffs are being made. This friendship proved to be very expensive. The PM should answer..."

Maintaining that Trump's comments on India and its economy "are belittling and unacceptable", former commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma said: "President Trump is mistaken that India does not have options. As the fourth-largest economy, India has resilience and inherent strength to engage with the world on principles of equality and mutual respect..."


Congress MP Tewari said: "Donald Trump's disparaging remarks hurt the dignity and self-respect of 140 crore Indians. I hope the government shows the resolve and spine to stare this gentleman down..."