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India condemns migrant comments circulated by Trump
New Delhi has rebuked statements posted by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform, calling them "uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste."
Podcaster's transcript sparks outrage
Trump shared a four-page transcript of podcaster Michael Savage's remarks on US birthright citizenship. Savage claimed individuals from India and China exploit the system, stating, "A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring the entire family in from China or India or some other hellhole on the planet."
Diplomatic tensions rise
India's foreign ministry issued a statement without naming Trump or Savage, emphasizing that the comments "do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship," which has historically been built on "mutual respect and shared interests."
"They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests."
Indian Ministry of External Affairs
Opposition demands action
India's main opposition party, Congress, labeled the remarks "extremely insulting and anti-Indian," urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "register a strong objection" with the US President.
Broader strains in US-India relations
Trump's post surfaces amid growing friction between Delhi and Washington. The US President has pressured India to halt purchases of Russian oil, arguing the funds fuel the war in Ukraine. However, in March, the US temporarily relaxed sanctions to allow India to import stranded Russian oil, averting a potential energy crisis.
Trade disputes have also flared. Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods last year, citing India's Russian oil imports. In February, he reduced these to 18% as part of ongoing trade negotiations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit India next month in a bid to mend ties.
Immigration policies under scrutiny
Trump's administration has intensified crackdowns on illegal immigration, with the President frequently asserting that immigrants displace American workers. He has also targeted the H-1B visa program, which predominantly benefits Indian professionals, arguing it disadvantages US workers.
Savage's comments echoed these sentiments, alleging systemic bias in California's tech sector. "White men need not apply to jobs in the state of California," he claimed, adding that "internal mechanisms are set up to run by Indians and Chinese." He provided no evidence for these assertions.
Legal context
Savage's remarks were framed around a US Supreme Court case challenging Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and certain temporary visa holders.
