Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has strongly criticized opposition leaders who have echoed US President Donald Trump's assessment of India's economy as "dead". Gowda, the chief of JD(S), issued a statement expressing his surprise at Trump's "baseless and ill-tempered remarks" about India and its economy. He went on to describe Trump as the most "volatile, uncivil, and irresponsible" head of state in modern history.
Deve Gowda didn't hold back in his criticism of Trump's diplomatic conduct, suggesting that Trump has behaved poorly not only with India but also with nearly every other country, including long-standing allies. He remarked that "Even a small trader and a poor farmer in India, who conducts his business with great dignity, integrity and humanity, can teach many lessons to Mr. Trump". He also added that there was something fundamentally wrong with the former US president that "reason, diplomacy or statecraft" could not address.
The former Prime Minister lauded the Narendra Modi government for its firm stance and for not giving in to Trump's "bullying" regarding India's economy. He stated that India, under Modi's leadership, has not compromised its national interest and has demonstrated that it will not be dictated by threats. Gowda also commended the government's extensive efforts to protect the agricultural sector and small and medium businesses, which support more than half of the nation's population. He believes that the Modi government's resolute stance will lead to an unprecedented national resurgence.
In a direct warning to opposition leaders who seem to support Trump's views, Deve Gowda cautioned them against becoming "deluded spokespersons". He suggested that they should avoid harming themselves and their parties, lest they end up in the "dustbin of history" alongside Trump.
However, Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, countered his party leader Rahul Gandhi's stance on Trump's remarks. Tharoor asserted that the Indian economy is not dead, emphasizing "India first". Government sources also suggested that the tariffs imposed by the U.S. will not have a significant adverse impact on the Indian economy.
