Kharge's Fiery Broadside: Modi 'Friends With Trump, Enemy of Nation' Amid Tariff Tensions

In a scathing indictment that reverberated through the political landscape, veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of prioritizing a personal bond with US President Donald Trump over India's vital national interests. Kharge's sharp remarks came against the volatile backdrop of escalating trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi, particularly the looming withdrawal of India's Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits by the United States.

Addressing a public gathering, Kharge didn't mince words, declaring, "Modi is friends with Trump, but an enemy of the nation." This provocative statement underscored the Congress party's deep-seated concerns regarding the government's handling of international trade relations and its perceived failure to safeguard the economic well-being of Indian citizens and industries.

The GSP withdrawal, effective from June 5, 2019, threatened to remove duty-free access for billions of dollars worth of Indian exports to the US, potentially impacting key sectors like textiles, agriculture, and engineering goods.

Kharge further elaborated on his criticism, questioning the efficacy of Prime Minister Modi's much-touted foreign policy.

He pointed out the irony that despite Modi's numerous visits to the US and his public bonhomie with President Trump, the relationship had deteriorated to a point where India was being penalized economically. "He keeps embracing Trump, but what has that achieved? The US is imposing tariffs on our goods, and our exports are suffering.

Is this the benefit of your friendship?" Kharge reportedly challenged, painting a picture of a government more concerned with optics than tangible economic outcomes.

The Congress leader highlighted the potential ripple effect of these tariffs on various segments of the Indian economy. Farmers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and daily wage earners, he argued, would bear the brunt of reduced exports and increased competition.

This, he asserted, was a direct consequence of the Modi government's inability to negotiate effectively and protect India's trade position on the global stage. Kharge's critique extended beyond just the US tariffs, touching upon what the Congress perceives as a broader trend of economic mismanagement and a decline in India's diplomatic leverage.

The opposition's narrative consistently positions the Modi government as one that has failed to create jobs, manage economic slowdowns, and now, to protect the nation's trade interests.

Kharge's powerful rhetoric sought to amplify these concerns, framing the US tariff issue not merely as a trade dispute, but as a direct challenge to national sovereignty and economic security, exacerbated by what he characterized as a compromised leadership.

As the deadline for the GSP withdrawal loomed, the political heat surrounding the issue intensified.

Kharge's accusations served as a stark reminder of the opposition's commitment to holding the government accountable for its foreign policy decisions and their domestic economic repercussions. The debate over India-US trade relations thus transformed into a potent political weapon, used by the Congress to question the very foundations of the Modi administration's governance and its commitment to the welfare of the 'aam aadmi' – the common person.