India has strongly criticised remarks amplified by Donald Trump after he shared a post describing the country as a “hellhole,” sparking a diplomatic reaction from New Delhi.
The controversy emerged after Trump reposted comments on his platform, Truth Social, linked to the ongoing debate in the United States over birthright citizenship. The original statement, made by conservative radio personality Michael Savage, used the term while criticising US immigration and citizenship policies.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs swiftly responded, calling the remarks “misinformed, inappropriate, and in poor taste.” Officials stressed that such statements do not accurately represent the strong and evolving relationship between India and the United States, which they said is built on mutual respect and shared strategic interests.
New Delhi emphasised that bilateral ties between the two countries continue to grow across multiple sectors, including trade, defence, and technology cooperation, despite the controversy. The ministry’s response underlined the importance of responsible public discourse, particularly when it involves longstanding international partners.
In the wake of the backlash, the US Embassy in New Delhi reportedly moved to calm tensions, highlighting that Trump has previously spoken positively about India, even describing it as “a great country” in earlier remarks.
The episode comes at a sensitive time, as debates around immigration and citizenship policies intensify in the United States ahead of key political developments. Observers note that such statements can carry wider diplomatic implications, especially when they involve major global partners like India.

