India rejects ‘hellhole’ remark linked to Trump post

NEW DELHI: India has dismissed as “uninformed” and inappropriate remarks linked to Donald Trump after a transcript he shared on social media described the country as a “hellhole”.

The comments were originally made by conservative commentator Michael Savage during an episode of The Savage Nation. Trump later posted the transcript on his Truth Social account without adding any remarks.

According to the transcript, Savage criticised birthright citizenship in the United States and used the term while referring to immigrants from countries including India and China.

India’s foreign ministry strongly reacted to the remarks, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal calling them “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste”.

He said the comments do not reflect the reality of the long-standing relationship between India and the United States, which is based on mutual respect and shared interests.

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The US embassy in New Delhi, however, cited Trump as previously describing India as “a great country” and highlighting his positive ties with its leadership.

India’s main opposition, Indian National Congress, also condemned the remarks as “extremely insulting”, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the issue with Washington.

The controversy comes amid ongoing efforts by both countries to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties, following tensions over tariffs in recent years.