Bengaluru: Following the US administration’s decision to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “favoring headline management over genuine diplomacy and national interests.”

Commending Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his critiques of various policies enacted by the Narendra Modi government, Siddaramaiah stated that the Leader of Opposition (LoP) has consistently been validated in his assertions.

“Whether it’s GST, demonetisation, Chinese aggression, the Modani nexus, or failures related to COVID, farm laws, Rafale, PM CARES, and electoral bonds — Rahul Gandhi highlighted these issues early on. The BJP ridiculed him. Yet, he has been vindicated time and again. His caution regarding US President Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariff is no exception. This is economic coercion — a consequence of PM Narendra Modi prioritising headline management over authentic diplomacy and national interests,” the Karnataka CM shared on X.

Siddaramaiah accused the Prime Minister of attempting to appease Trump, asserting that the US President interpreted these actions as “surrender, not diplomacy.”
“Since 2019, PM Modi has made considerable efforts to win over Trump — from the optics of Howdy Modi (where the slogan “Abki Baar Trump Sarkar” was chanted) to hosting Namaste ‘Doland’ Trump amidst a looming COVID crisis, to coining the phrase “MAGA + MIGA = MEGA”. He even sought the favor of Elon Musk, aware of his connections to Trump. However, Trump was not impressed. He perceived it not as diplomacy — but as surrender,” he remarked.

In a pointed critique, Siddaramaiah lambasted PM Modi for failing to “push back” against Trump’s assertions of “ceasefire” and for hosting the Pakistan Army Chief in Washington.

“He (Trump) did precisely what a genuine friend would not do: He has asserted 33 times (and still counting) that he facilitated peace between India and Pakistan. He welcomed Pakistan’s Army Chief, the individual whose incendiary speeches contributed to the Pahalgam Terror Attack. He supported Israel’s harsh offensive on Gaza, while PM Modi remained silent, merely to stay in Washington’s favor. Throughout all of this — there was no protest. No resistance. No dignity,” he stated.

Describing Trump’s declaration to impose 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods as “coercion,” Siddaramaiah remarked that it represented an infringement on the nation’s sovereignty.

“Now, Trump imposes unjust tariffs on India. Even worse, he is pressuring us to sever ties with Russia — a blatant assault on our sovereignty. No foreign entity has the authority to dictate our trade decisions. This is the price of conducting foreign policy as if it were a personal public relations campaign,” he stated.

“Disregarding the Leader of the Opposition’s insightful warnings has already cost the nation dearly. It is time for the Modi Government to mature — and prioritize India’s interests,” he concluded.