India Slams Trump Over ‘Hellhole’ Post
India has sharply criticised U.S. President Donald Trump after he shared a post on Truth Social containing remarks that described India as a “hellhole” while attacking birthright citizenship in the United States. The episode has triggered diplomatic unease ahead of a planned visit to India by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio next month.
Trump Post Sparks India US Row
The controversy began when Trump reposted a lengthy message based on comments by conservative podcast host Michael Savage. The post attacked birthright citizenship and made disparaging references to immigrants from countries including India. It also alleged, without evidence, that Indian immigrants in the U.S. technology sector do not hire white native-born Americans.
The remarks quickly drew attention because they came from the U.S. president’s official social media platform and touched directly on Indian migrants and India’s image.
India Condemns Hellhole Remark
India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded strongly, calling the remarks uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste. Official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the comments did not reflect the reality of India-U.S. ties, which New Delhi described as being based on mutual respect and shared interests.
The response marked a rare direct public rebuke from India over rhetoric used by a sitting U.S. president. The timing has made the matter more sensitive, given ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Immigration Debate Adds Political Tension
The controversy also highlights wider friction around immigration in the United States, where Indian professionals and students form a major part of legal migrant communities. Trump has previously criticised visa programmes often used by Indian tech workers, and the latest post is likely to add to concerns among Indian-American groups and policymakers.
For now, the incident has created an awkward moment in India-U.S. relations, with attention likely to stay on whether Washington seeks to calm the fallout before upcoming diplomatic meetings.
