The U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on India’s purchase of crude oil from Russia have sparked a political stir in India. The Congress party has taken aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that India will not bow to external pressures. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, using a famous line from a Hindi film, quipped that Trump seems to be implying, “Mogambo is happy,” in reference to Modi’s dealings.
Speaking on Monday, Kharge said, “There is a famous dialogue in the film Mr. India: ‘Mogambo khush hua.’ Similarly, Trump seems to suggest the same. Those who think in such a manner may try to intimidate, but India will not yield. However, I don’t understand why Modi ji keeps currying favor in front of them.”
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh also criticized the U.S., posting on X (formerly Twitter), “The ‘good friend of the Prime Minister in the White House’ continues his ‘sometimes warm, sometimes cold’ approach toward India. He has once again threatened that if India does not stop buying oil from Russia, the U.S. may impose higher tariffs on Indian imports.”
Ramesh added, with a note of sarcasm, “Namaste Trump, all the events like ‘Howdy Modi,’ forced hugs, and social media posts praising the U.S. President have had little effect.”
Trump’s Statement
On Sunday, while traveling from Florida to Washington, D.C., aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters, “They (India) basically wanted to please me. Modi is a very good person. He knew I wasn’t happy, and they had to make me happy. They do business, and we could raise tariffs on them very quickly. That would be very bad for them.”
Trump’s remarks followed a statement from U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who was also on Air Force One. Graham claimed that India’s reduced imports of Russian oil were due to tariffs imposed by Trump and highlighted his proposed legislation that would levy a 500 percent duty on imports from countries buying Russian oil.
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