Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday agreed with former US President Donald Trump’s remark calling the Indian economy “dead,” stating that he was “glad” someone had publicly acknowledged what he considers a harsh reality under the current BJP government.
“Everyone knows the Indian economy is dead—except the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister,” Gandhi said while addressing the media. “I’m glad President Trump has stated a fact. The BJP has destroyed the economy just to benefit Adani.”
Gandhi’s comments came after Trump’s explosive statement on his social media platform Truth Social, where he imposed 25% tariffs on Indian imports and lashed out over India’s purchase of Russian oil. “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together,” Trump wrote, criticizing India’s high trade barriers and defence ties with Moscow.
Questioning Prime Minister Modi’s silence on several of Trump’s controversial claims, Gandhi asked, “Trump has said 30-32 times that he arranged a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He claims five Indian jets have been shot down and now he’s imposing 25% tariffs. Why hasn’t the PM responded to any of this? Who’s really in control?”
The Congress leader also took aim at External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, arguing that India’s foreign policy is failing on multiple fronts. “The Foreign Minister boasts about our foreign policy being a genius strategy, but look at the facts: America is insulting us, China is threatening us, and no country has condemned Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack,” he said.
Referring to US President Trump’s reported meeting with Pakistan’s military leadership following the Pahalgam terror incident, Gandhi accused the Modi government of failing to secure international support. “While our soldiers are being attacked, Trump is having lunch with Pakistan’s military chief. And here, they’re calling it a diplomatic success.”
Gandhi warned that under the upcoming India-US trade negotiations, Prime Minister Modi would yield to US pressure. “This deal will happen exactly the way Trump wants it. Modi only works for Adani—not the people of India,” he alleged.
Concluding his remarks, Gandhi accused the BJP-led government of dismantling India’s economic strength, foreign policy credibility, and national defence. “The Modi government has pushed India to the edge. There is economic collapse, foreign policy confusion, and national security concerns. They’re running the country into the ground,” he said.
