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US President Trump calls India “Hellhole,” New Delhi condemns remarks

By The South Asia Times

NEW DELHI — India on Friday strongly criticized remarks by US President Donald Trump after he referred to India as a “hellhole” in a social media post, prompting a sharp diplomatic response.

The comment appeared in a post on Trump’s Truth Social platform, citing a transcript of remarks by a conservative commentator discussing US immigration policies. The reference to India drew immediate backlash from New Delhi.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs described the statement as “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste,” with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal saying it did not reflect the reality of ties between the two countries.

Officials emphasized that relations between India and the United States are based on mutual respect and shared interests, seeking to downplay any lasting diplomatic impact.

The US Embassy in New Delhi moved quickly to contain the fallout, highlighting Trump’s previous positive comments about India and its leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The opposition Congress Party called the remarks "extremely insulting and anti-Indian." Party president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned Prime Minister Modi's silence, posting on X: "Modi ji's dear friend, 'Namaste Trump' has shared an abuse against India... Modi ji remains absolutely mum."

Democratic Congressman Ami Bera, whose parents immigrated from India, called Trump's post "offensive, ignorant and beneath the dignity of the office he holds."

The controversy comes at a sensitive time in US-India relations, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio set to visit India next month.