Ramesh said their ‘friendship’ has proved very expensive for the country.
“There is a popular song ‘Dost dost na raha’. PM must also know the song. ‘Dost dost na raha, Trump yaar hamein tera aitbaar na raha’. They conducted ‘Howdy Modi’ and ‘Namaste Trump’. They said ‘Abki baar Trump sarkar’. There were photo ops. 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,” he said.
The Congress has demanded an answer from PM Modi on the tariff war.
Trump on Monday said he will “substantially” raise US tariffs on New Delhi, accusing it of buying massive amounts of Russian oil and selling it for big profits. “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits,” Trump said in a social media post on Monday.
“They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA,” he added.
On July 31, the Trump administration slapped a 25% duty on all Indian goods. The US president also announced a penalty for buying “vast majority” of Russian military equipment and crude oil, but no mention was made in the notification.
The Congress also attacked Modi over Trump’s claim on mediation during India-Pakistan war.
“First, he (President Trump) spoke of mediation – that he got the ceasefire done. He said this 32-33 times. PM did not say anything on this. MEA has issued a statement now but it is clear that our relations with the US have deteriorated. Today, CAP – China, America and Pakistan have become a challenge for us,” Ramesh added.
