Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s endorsement of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “dead economy” jibe at India has sparked a political storm, with both allies and party colleagues distancing themselves from his statement. While Gandhi used Trump’s words to attack the Modi government, others in the Opposition and Congress highlighted India’s economic resilience.

Speaking outside Parliament, Gandhi blamed Prime Minister Modi for “killing” the economy through demonetisation, a flawed GST rollout, and failure to support MSMEs and farmers. “President Trump is right. Everyone knows the truth except the Prime Minister and Finance Minister,” Gandhi remarked.

However, senior Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Rajiv Shukla contradicted his stance. Tharoor acknowledged economic challenges but insisted India has a strong domestic market and must not cave to U.S. pressure. “We must explore other markets if America becomes unreasonable,” he said. Shukla labelled Trump’s statement “delusional,” asserting that India’s economy remains robust.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also hit out at Trump, calling the "dead economy" remark arrogant and ignorant. She stressed that while India faces challenges, it remains among the world’s top five economies. “Criticism should not distort reality,” she posted on X.

Trump, just a day after slapping 25% tariffs on Indian goods, declared that he “doesn’t care what India does with Russia,” adding, “they can take their dead economies down together.”

The BJP seized the moment to attack Gandhi. Party leader Amit Malviya said Gandhi had insulted India by aligning with Trump’s rhetoric, calling it “a new low.” BJP’s K. Annamalai mocked the Congress for its split messaging, contrasting Tharoor’s mature response with Gandhi’s “foreign propaganda.”

As political temperatures rise, the episode has further exposed rifts within the Opposition on matters of national pride and foreign policy.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s endorsement of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “dead economy” jibe at India has sparked a political storm, with both allies and party colleagues distancing themselves from his statement. While Gandhi used Trump’s words to attack the Modi government, others in the Opposition and Congress highlighted India’s economic resilience.

Speaking outside Parliament, Gandhi blamed Prime Minister Modi for “killing” the economy through demonetisation, a flawed GST rollout, and failure to support MSMEs and farmers. “President Trump is right. Everyone knows the truth except the Prime Minister and Finance Minister,” Gandhi remarked.

However, senior Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Rajiv Shukla contradicted his stance. Tharoor acknowledged economic challenges but insisted India has a strong domestic market and must not cave to U.S. pressure. “We must explore other markets if America becomes unreasonable,” he said. Shukla labelled Trump’s statement “delusional,” asserting that India’s economy remains robust.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also hit out at Trump, calling the "dead economy" remark arrogant and ignorant. She stressed that while India faces challenges, it remains among the world’s top five economies. “Criticism should not distort reality,” she posted on X.

Trump, just a day after slapping 25% tariffs on Indian goods, declared that he “doesn’t care what India does with Russia,” adding, “they can take their dead economies down together.”

The BJP seized the moment to attack Gandhi. Party leader Amit Malviya said Gandhi had insulted India by aligning with Trump’s rhetoric, calling it “a new low.” BJP’s K. Annamalai mocked the Congress for its split messaging, contrasting Tharoor’s mature response with Gandhi’s “foreign propaganda.”

As political temperatures rise, the episode has further exposed rifts within the Opposition on matters of national pride and foreign policy.