New Delhi:
India on Thursday strongly criticised derogatory remarks made on social media that referred to Indians in offensive terms, calling the comments “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste.” The reaction came hours after the US Embassy issued a clarification following backlash over a repost shared by Donald Trump.
Without naming Trump directly, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made it clear that the remarks did not reflect the reality of relations between the two countries.
“We have seen the comments, as also the subsequent statement issued by the US Embassy in response. The remarks are obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in an official statement.
MEA Says Remarks Do Not Reflect India-US Relations
The MEA further emphasised that such comments do not represent the long-standing relationship between India and the United States, which is built on mutual respect and shared interests.
“These remarks certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests,” Jaiswal added.
India’s response came after Trump shared a purported four-page transcript from a podcaster that included derogatory references to Indians. The post quickly triggered criticism and diplomatic concern.
US Embassy Issues Clarification After Backlash
Following the controversy, the US Embassy issued a statement in what appeared to be a damage-control effort. The clarification stated that Trump views India positively and considers it a key partner.
According to the embassy’s statement, Trump believes India is a “great country” led by a “good friend of mine at the top,” signalling an attempt to ease tensions following the backlash.
Diplomatic Sensitivity Amid Ongoing Global Tensions
The incident comes at a time when India-US relations remain strategically significant across defence, trade, and geopolitical cooperation. Officials indicated that while the remarks were criticised strongly, India’s response remained measured and focused on reaffirming the broader strength of bilateral ties.
The controversy also highlights how social media posts by global leaders can quickly escalate into diplomatic sensitivities, particularly when they involve national identity and international partnerships.