Trump's Tariff Threat Exposes PM Modi's 'Huglomacy' Failure, Says Jairam Ramesh

The Congress party launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy, dubbing it a “complete collapse” of his much-touted “huglomacy” after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs on India. The opposition’s critique, laced with a reference to the iconic Mukesh song from the 1964 film Sangam—Dost dost na raha, pyaar pyaar na raha—highlighted the deteriorating Indo-US relationship under Modi’s leadership.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh slammed the Ministry of External Affairs’ response to Trump’s accusations as “meek” and insufficient, urging Modi himself to address the issue. Trump’s remarks on August 4 accused India of profiting by purchasing large quantities of Russian crude oil and reselling it on the global market. In a social media post, he stated, “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine.” He vowed to “substantially” raise tariffs on India, following an Executive Order signed on August 1 that increased tariffs for over 60 countries, including a 25% hike for India.

Ramesh mocked Modi’s personal rapport with Trump, recalling high-profile events like the “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston in September 2019, the “Namaste Trump” event in Ahmedabad in February 2020, and Modi’s slogan “Abki baar Trump Sarkar” during the US presidential campaign. “Our External Affairs Minister boasted of a front-row seat at Trump’s inauguration, but this so-called friendship has proven costly,” Ramesh told PTI. He criticized Modi’s reliance on personal diplomacy, arguing that institutional engagement is essential for robust foreign relations.

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The Congress leader also highlighted the broader geopolitical challenges facing India, coining the acronym CAP—China, America, and Pakistan—to describe the new political hurdles. “We thought China and Pakistan were our challenges, but who would have imagined the US would join the list?” Ramesh quipped. He pointed to Trump’s unprecedented lunch with Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir as evidence of the US president’s transactional approach, undermining Modi’s claims of a special bond.

India’s crude oil imports from Russia have surged from a mere 0.2% before the Russia-Ukraine conflict to 35-40% today, making New Delhi the second-largest buyer after China. This shift has drawn scrutiny from the US, which has accused India of indirectly fueling Russia’s war efforts. The Ministry of External Affairs responded by emphasizing India’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and examining the implications of the tariffs, but Ramesh dismissed the statement as inadequate, insisting that Modi must personally clarify India’s stance.

Reflecting on history, Ramesh noted that Indo-US relations had significantly improved since the economic reforms of 1991, with pivotal moments like Indira Gandhi’s 1982 visit to meet President Ronald Reagan and Rajiv Gandhi’s 1985 trip to the US. “But under Modi, we’re sliding back to the 1970s, when President Nixon treated India with disdain, and Indira Gandhi stood firm,” he said. Unlike Gandhi, who addressed Parliament and the public on such issues, Modi has remained silent, leaving the opposition to question his strategy.

The tariff threat comes amidst India’s delicate balancing act in global diplomacy. While maintaining strong ties with Russia for energy security, India has faced criticism from Western nations for not aligning fully with sanctions against Moscow. Trump’s Executive Order, titled Further Modifying The Reciprocal Tariff Rates, also omitted specific penalties for India’s purchase of Russian military equipment, raising concerns about potential future actions.

As the government scrambles to respond, Congress accused Modi of mismanaging India’s foreign policy, warning that his personalized approach has left the nation vulnerable. “It’s not the opposition’s job to fix Indo-US relations,” Ramesh said. “The government must act decisively to protect India’s interests.”

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