The Congress party on Wednesday sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi after US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff and additional penalty on India, effective August 1. The opposition alleged that Modi’s “failed foreign policy” and his close relations with Trump have led to this economic setback for the country.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Congress stated:

“Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on India, along with a penalty. The country is paying the price for Narendra Modi’s ‘friendship’.”

The party further accused Modi of prioritizing optics over substance in international relations, claiming:

“Modi campaigned for Trump, hugged him enthusiastically, got photos taken and made them trend on social media. In the end, Trump slapped tariffs on India. India’s foreign policy has completely failed.”

Trump’s Tariff Announcement

US President Donald Trump, in a post on his Truth Social account, justified the tariff by accusing India of imposing high trade barriers and purchasing a majority of its military and energy supplies from Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war.

“India has always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia and is Russia’s largest buyer of energy, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine — all things not good! India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25%, plus a penalty for the above, starting on August 1st,” Trump said.

Trump also noted that despite being friends, the US has done “relatively little business” with India due to what he described as “obnoxious” non-monetary trade barriers.

Political Fallout in India

The tariff announcement has triggered a political storm in India, with the Congress party using it as an opportunity to question Modi’s foreign policy credentials. The government, on its part, has said it is studying the implications of Trump’s decision and will take necessary steps to protect national interests.