P. Chidambaram targeted the Modi government regarding the US imposing 25% tariffs on India and penalties for buying oil from Russia. He questioned the MEGA partnership and alleged violations of WTO rules.
New Delhi: Former Union Minister and Congress leader P. Chidambaram has launched a scathing attack on US President Donald Trump's recent announcement. Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on all Indian exports starting August 1st and additional penalties for purchasing oil from Russia. Regarding this decision, Chidambaram not only questioned the Modi government's foreign policy but also taunted the Prime Minister's old statements.
Sarcasm on MIGA + MAGA = MEGA
P. Chidambaram targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement in which he described India-US relations as "MEGA" (Make India Great Again + Make America Great Again). Chidambaram asked, "What happened to MIGA + MAGA = MEGA?" He wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that 'friendship' cannot be a substitute for diplomacy, nor can painstaking negotiations be ignored.
Chidambaram's Direct Attack
Chidambaram said that America's decision is a major blow to India-US trade relations. He called Trump's announcement a direct violation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. He believes that this decision was taken suddenly without any concrete negotiation, which could harm India's economic interests.
Not 'Friendship,' Diplomatic Talks are Necessary: Chidambaram
Chidambaram believes that b relationships between countries cannot be built merely by showing friendship on platforms; it requires serious dialogue, strategy, and preparation. He said that America's move has made it clear that the foundation of India-US relations should not be based solely on superficial speeches.
Uncertainty Regarding Trump's Stance
In an interview, Chidambaram described Trump's decision as impulsive. He said that Trump had talked about implementing the tariff from August 1st, but now there is ambiguity in his statement. He also said that Trump has indicated that the final decision is still pending and the situation will be clear by the end of the week. According to Chidambaram, this instability could be a dangerous sign for India.
Questions on Modi's US Visit
Chidambaram also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in February when he spoke of a historic partnership between India and America. At that time, PM Modi gave the slogan 'Make India Great Again' (MIGA) and described it as a MEGA partnership by linking it with the American slogan MAGA. Now that America has imposed tariffs and penalties on India, Chidambaram asks, "What happened to that partnership?"
