‘Dead Economy’ Comment: Rahul Gandhi supports Trump, but Congress leaders are different. Political news

Last update:31 July, 2025, 17:24 IST

Rahul Gandhi criticized PM Modi’s government, agreeing with Trump’s “dead economy” comment. Congress leaders Tharoor and Shukla disagreed while defending India’s economy.

Lok Sabha Leader and Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday implemented 25% Tariff of US President Donald Trump to India and commented on the “dead economy” for the slam to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

He said to the government that the Republican leader is right in saying that the Indian economy is “dead”.

Read more: ‘Do not bake under pressure’: After Trump’s tariff, Tharoor says that India should work hard

However, the leaders of the government’s opposition criticism are unexpectedly back, with their party’s colleagues and colleagues taking a contrasting stand.

What did Rahul Gandhi say?

The Congress MP questioned the Prime Minister with more than 25% tariffs imposed on Indian goods by the US.

When asked to comment on Trump’s comment on the dead economy, Rahul Gandhi said he agreed with the US President. “Yes, he is right. Everyone knows this except the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. Everyone knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy.

Gandhi further alleged that the BJP government has destroyed India’s economic, defense and foreign policy. He said, “PM Modi works for only one person- Adani. This (India-US trade) deal, and PM Modi will do what Trump says,” he said.

“The Foreign Minister gives a speech and says that we have a talented foreign policy. On one hand, America is abusing you; on the other hand, China is behind you. When you send your delegation to the world, no country condemns Pakistan. How are they running this country? He (PM Modi did not take his speech). They are saying that we got great success,” he said.

Shashi Tharoor’s different stand from Gandhi

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and Thriventhapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, whose Pro-Modi government has commented on Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, has drawn snubs from Congress leadership, took a different stand from Gandhi and said that the business talks between America and India are “challenging”.

Read more: ‘Insult to Aspirations’: BJP vs Rahul Gandhi Trump’s ‘Dead Economy’ in New Slugfest on Jib

He said, “We have a conversation with the European Union, we have already made a deal with the UK, and we are also talking with other countries. If we cannot compete in the US, we may have to diversify our markets outside the US. We are not out of options,” he said that the news agency ANI has been said to be.

“If the US is completely inappropriate with its demands, we have to move elsewhere. It is India’s strength; we are not a completely export-dependent economy like China. We have a good and strong domestic market. We should give strong support to our negotiators to find the best deal. If a good deal is not possible, we may have to go away …” He said.

Tharoor further said that India should not do under “Bakkal” and should work hard with the United States on trade.

In a column for NDTV, Tharoor strongly criticized Trump’s comments on India’s trade and foreign policy. He argued that Trump’s comments reflect a transaction and oversmimphalified world vision, where trade deficit is considered as individual insults and independent foreign policies are seen as dangers. Tharoor has dismissed Trump’s complaints about Indian tariffs and trade obstacles, he has been called a tired argument that ignore the economic realities of developing countries like India.

What did Rajiv Shukla say?

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Rajiv Shukla said that Trump’s statement is “completely wrong”.

“The Indian economy is not dead. Economic reforms were made when PV Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh were there. Atal Bihari Vajpayee carried forward those reforms. Manmohan Singh strengthened it in 10 years. The present government has also worked on it. If anyone claims that they can end the US completely. It is wrong.

Priyanka Chaturvedi says that India’s economy is in the top 5

Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi slammed the US President for his arrogance and said that there is enough data to know that the Indian economy is one of the top five in the world.

“It is not that someone needs to say that enough valid data is available to know that the Indian economy is in the top 5 in the world and one of the fastest growing economies. Calling it a dead economy can only come from pride or ignorance situation. Thank you for paying attention to this matter!” He said in a post on X.

BJP hit Rahul Gandhi

BJP’s IT cell head Amit Malviya said that Rahul Gandhi’s continuous efforts to promote India’s economic rise are not only “political jobs”, but they are making direct insults for 140 million Indians who are working hard to create a better future.

Malavia said that major economic indicators showed India’s growth strong, with inflation at a 6-year low, tractor retail sales in June increased by 8.7%, three-wheel production increased by 8.6%, 8.1% in air cargo and port cargo 5.6%. Additionally, steel consumption increased by 7.9%, renewable power generation increased by 18.2%, raw steel increased by 12.2%, Steel increased by 12.5%, tractor production 9.8%, cement production increased by 7%, and capital goods output (IIP) increased by 14.1%in May 2025.

25% tariff step of Trump

Earlier on Wednesday, US President Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on all goods coming from India from August 1, as well as an unspecified penalty for buying Russian crude oil and military equipment.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump cited India’s high tariffs, tough non-monetary trade barriers and continued military and energy relations with Russia as the basis for the move.

Donald Trump wrote, “India is our friend, but we … they have a relatively low business because their tariffs are very high … and they have the most loud and unpleasant non -transcendent business obstacles in any country.”

He further criticized India’s defense and energy relations with Russia, saying, “They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s biggest buyers with China, at a time when everyone wants to stop the murder in Russia Ukraine- not all things are good!”

“India will therefore pay a tariff of 25%, as well as a fine for the above, first will start from August,” he concluded.

Later, he criticized India’s trade policies and its relations with Russia. In his post, Trump dismissed concerns over India’s relations with Moscow, “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, I care for all.”

India’s response

The government said on Wednesday that it is studying the implication of Trump’s announcement of imposing 25 percent tariffs on Indian goods along with a fine from August 1.

An official statement said, “The government has focused a statement by the US President on bilateral trade. The government is studying its implications.”

(With input from agencies)

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