India’s Ministry of External Affairs on April 23 sharply criticised US President Donald Trump after he amplified remarks describing India as a “hellhole” in a repost linked to the United States birthright citizenship debate.
The MEA said the comments were “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste” and did not reflect the reality of India-US relations, which it said are based on mutual respect and shared interests.
The backlash followed a post shared by Trump on Truth Social featuring comments from conservative radio host Michael Savage, who used the term while criticising immigration and citizenship policies in the United States.
Following India’s response, the US Embassy in New Delhi moved to ease tensions, saying Trump had previously described India as “a great country.”
The row comes as India and the United States navigate a broader diplomatic relationship during the Trump administration that also includes unresolved trade and tariff tensions. Those pressures have knock-on effects for South Asia, including Sri Lanka’s regional trade environment, as Washington pursues a more confrontational line with Delhi on immigration and birthright citizenship.
No formal diplomatic protest has been announced, but Indian officials have indicated the episode will be raised through diplomatic channels if similar remarks are repeated.
