New Delhi/Washington, April 24, 2026: India on Thursday strongly criticised US President Donald Trump over a social media post describing the country as a “hellhole,” calling the remarks “inappropriate” and not reflective of bilateral ties between the two nations.
The controversy comes ahead of a planned visit to India next month by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aimed at easing recent strains in what has traditionally been a close strategic partnership.
Responding to the comments, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the remarks were “obviously uninformed, inappropriate, and in poor taste.”
“They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India–US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests,” he added.
The controversial post, shared by Trump late Wednesday, was reportedly authored by another individual and focused on US birthright citizenship policies. It included claims targeting immigrants from India and China, alleging — inaccurately — that Indian tech workers lack English proficiency and discriminate in hiring.
The remarks triggered a wave of criticism within the United States as well. Congressman Ami Bera, a Democrat and son of Indian immigrants, described the post as “offensive, ignorant and beneath the dignity of the office.”
“President Trump, who was born into wealth and privilege, has never had to struggle the way so many immigrant families have,” he said.
The Hindu American Foundation also condemned the post, calling it a “hateful, racist screed” and warning that such rhetoric could fuel xenophobia and endanger immigrant communities.
The episode adds to recent tensions between Washington and New Delhi, despite decades of growing cooperation in trade, defence, and regional security.
Trump, who has made immigration restrictions a central pillar of his policy agenda, has repeatedly targeted visa programmes widely used by Indian technology professionals. He has also maintained tariffs on Indian goods in recent months, reportedly in response to disagreements with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over regional diplomatic issues.
Despite the latest diplomatic friction, analysts note that both countries have strong incentives to stabilise ties. The United States has long viewed India as a key strategic partner and a counterweight to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Rubio’s upcoming visit is expected to focus on resetting the tone of relations and reinforcing cooperation across economic and security domains.
However, Trump’s latest remarks risk complicating those efforts, underscoring the fragile state of diplomacy between two of the world’s largest democracies.
