Rahul Gandhi Backs Trump’s “Dead Economy” Remark
Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remark describing India as a “dead economy.” Speaking to reporters, Gandhi said, “Yes, he is right. Everybody knows the Indian economy is dead—everybody except Prime Minister Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.”
Gandhi Points to Policy Failures
Listing out what he called policy blunders by the Modi government, Gandhi blamed demonetisation, a flawed GST rollout, and the collapse of the ‘Assemble in India’ strategy as key reasons behind India’s economic slowdown. He said these decisions had crushed small businesses, farmers, and job opportunities for youth.
Sharp Criticism of Corporate Favoritism
Gandhi accused the government of serving the interests of select businessmen while leaving ordinary citizens behind. Without naming anyone directly, he said the government was shielding key allies from scrutiny while ignoring the distress of millions of Indians.
Warning on U.S. Trade Talks
He also warned that if a trade deal with the U.S. is signed, it will be on Trump’s terms. “Modi will simply follow orders,” he said, predicting that India’s leadership will concede ground in negotiations instead of defending national interests.
Internal Discord Surfaces
Congress MP Rajeev Shukla distanced himself from Gandhi’s stance, saying he did not agree with Trump’s assessment of India’s economy. This public disagreement exposed a rare split within the Congress party on how to respond to external criticism.
Economic Concerns Amid Tariff Tensions
Gandhi’s remarks came days after the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods. Economists warn that such trade penalties, coupled with political rhetoric branding the economy as “dead,” could hurt investor confidence and economic recovery efforts.
