Rahul Gandhi Uses Trump’s Remarks to Corner Modi Government

Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of yielding to pressure from former US President Donald Trump, sharpening an ongoing political clash over foreign policy, steep American tariffs on Indian goods and New Delhi’s energy trade with Russia.

The Congress leader posted a video statement on X with the caption "Fark samjho sirji", using it to argue that the current government gives in easily when pushed by powerful countries and does not defend India’s interests with enough firmness.

Rahul Gandhi Narendra Modi row over Trump claim and US pressure

Gandhi focused on Trump’s recent comments at the House GOP Member Retreat, where Trump claimed that Modi personally requested a meeting. "Prime Minister Modi came to see me, 'Sir, may I see you please'. Yes," Trump said, a remark that quickly drew political reactions in India.

Linking that claim with tariffs and oil imports, Gandhi alleged that the Modi government adjusted its position after Trump signalled displeasure. Gandhi said, "I know these BJP–RSS people very well now. Put a little pressure on them, give them a little push and they run away in fear," Gandhi said. "As soon as Trump signalled from there, they picked up the phone and said, 'What are you doing Modi ji?' Narendra surrendered and with 'yes sir', Narendra Modi ji followed Trump's signal."

Rahul Gandhi Narendra Modi debate and Indira Gandhi’s 1971 war stance

Rahul Gandhi contrasted Modi with former prime minister Indira Gandhi during the 1971 war. Recalling the entry of the United States Seventh Fleet into the region, Gandhi said, "You might remember a time when the phone call didn't come — the Seventh Fleet had come. In the 1971 war, the Seventh Fleet came, weapons came, an aircraft carrier came. Indira Gandhi ji said, 'I will do what I have to do.' This is the difference," he said, referring to the United States Seventh Fleet.

The Seventh Fleet deployment is widely remembered in Indian political history as a signal of US pressure on India during the conflict that led to the creation of Bangladesh, and Gandhi used that episode to argue that New Delhi had once resisted external demands more strongly.

Trump has imposed tariffs totalling 50% on Indian exports, including a specific 25% duty tied to India’s procurement of Russian oil, a move that has complicated trade ties and raised costs for several sectors that sell to the US market.

Defending the tariff steps and referring to energy trade, Trump said, "I have a very good relationship with him. He's not that happy with me because they're paying a lot of tariffs now because they're not doing the oil — but they are, they've now reduced it very substantially," Trump said.

According to US remarks, New Delhi has "reduced" Russian oil purchases "substantially" while still facing what Trump called "a lot of tariffs now", highlighting how trade issues and energy policy have become interlinked in the relationship between the two countries.

The tariffs, which were introduced in August, have already prompted several rounds of trade negotiations and at least four one-on-one conversations between Trump and Modi, yet the discussions have not produced a formal bilateral trade agreement so far.

Trump also said that India had raised concerns about delays in the supply of Apache helicopters, claiming that New Delhi has been waiting for these aircraft for five years, adding another unresolved topic to a list that now includes tariffs, defence deliveries and Russian oil purchases.