
Trump imposed tariff as PM refused to compromise India’s interests: BJP to Rahul
The ongoing trade tensions between the United States and India have taken a new turn, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lashing out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the situation.
In a tweet, Gandhi had stated that PM Modi should not let his weakness override the interests of the Indian people. “Who’s going to tell him that Trump imposed the tariff because PM Modi refused to compromise on India’s interests?” BJP leader Shanthi Kumar responded, expressing his party’s stance on the issue.
The tweet comes in the wake of the US imposing 25% additional tariffs on Indian goods, including aluminum and steel, which sparked widespread outrage in India. The move is seen as a retaliatory measure by the US against India’s decision to impose tariffs on certain American goods, including Harley-Davidson motorcycles and bourbon whiskey.
The BJP’s reaction to Gandhi’s tweet highlights the growing tension between the two major political parties in India, with the BJP accusing the Congress of being soft on the US and not standing up for India’s interests.
Gandhi’s remarks were seen as a criticism of PM Modi’s handling of the trade negotiations with the US, with some analysts interpreting it as a suggestion that the Prime Minister was too weak to stand up to the US and protect India’s interests.
However, the BJP has rejected this interpretation, stating that it is the US that imposed the tariffs and not PM Modi. “Who’s going to tell him that Trump imposed the tariff because PM Modi refused to compromise on India’s interests?” Shanthi Kumar tweeted, emphasizing that the BJP government’s decision to impose tariffs on certain US goods was a necessary step to protect India’s economy and industries.
The BJP’s response is seen as an attempt to shift the focus from PM Modi’s handling of the trade negotiations to the US’s decision to impose tariffs on Indian goods. The party is trying to portray PM Modi as a strong leader who is willing to stand up to the US and protect India’s interests, rather than a weak leader who is beholden to foreign powers.
The trade tensions between the US and India have been simmering for months, with both sides accusing each other of unfair trade practices and protectionism. The US has been critical of India’s trade policies, including its decision to impose tariffs on certain American goods, while India has argued that the US is trying to bully it into submission.
The imposition of tariffs by the US has sparked widespread outrage in India, with many calling for a boycott of American goods and urging the government to take a tougher stance against the US. However, the BJP has been cautious in its response, trying to balance the need to protect India’s economy and industries with the need to maintain good relations with the US.
The trade tensions have also highlighted the growing divide between the BJP and the Congress, with the two parties taking opposite stances on the issue. While the BJP is trying to portray PM Modi as a strong leader who is willing to stand up to the US, the Congress is accusing him of being weak and ineffective in the face of US pressure.
The situation is likely to remain tense in the coming weeks and months, with both sides refusing to back down. The US has threatened to impose further tariffs on Indian goods if India does not comply with its demands, while India has vowed to retaliate with its own tariffs on American goods.
As the trade tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how the two sides will resolve their differences. One thing is clear, however: the stakes are high, and the outcome will have significant implications for the economies of both countries.
Source: https://x.com/BJPShanthikumar/status/1953147823429718046