India has strongly criticised a social media post attributed to US President Donald Trump in which he allegedly referred to the country as a “hellhole,” calling the remarks inappropriate and in poor taste.
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The comments reportedly appeared in a post shared by Trump late Wednesday, where he was discussing US immigration and birthright citizenship. The post included criticism of immigrants from countries such as India and China and made sweeping claims about their participation in the US technology sector. It also contained derogatory language describing India as a “hellhole.”
We are deeply disturbed by @POTUS sharing this hateful, racist screed targeting Indian and Chinese Americans.
Endorsing such rants as the president of the United States will further stoke hatred and endanger our communities, at a time when xenophobia and racism are already at an… pic.twitter.com/3lq6YrE9CT
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) April 23, 2026
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal rejected the remarks, stating that they were “obviously uninformed, inappropriate, and in poor taste.” He emphasized that such comments do not reflect the reality of India–US relations, which are built on long-standing cooperation, mutual respect, and shared strategic interests.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for bilateral ties, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to visit India next month. Diplomatic observers say the visit is intended to ease recent tensions between the two countries and reinforce collaboration on trade, technology, and regional security.
The post also drew criticism within the United States. Congressman Ami Bera, a Democrat of Indian origin, called the remarks offensive and disrespectful, arguing that they undermine the dignity of the presidency. Advocacy groups representing Hindu Americans also condemned the language, warning that such rhetoric could increase xenophobia and endanger immigrant communities.
As the son of immigrants from India, I take great pride in both my heritage and in the country that gave my family the opportunity to build a better life. My parents came to the United States legally in search of that opportunity.
My mother spent 35 years working as a public… https://t.co/krI7yEoLeE
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) April 23, 2026
Trump has previously taken a hardline stance on immigration, particularly targeting visa programs used by Indian professionals in the US technology sector. His administration has also imposed tariffs on Indian goods in response to broader geopolitical disagreements.
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Despite the controversy, officials on both sides have signaled that strategic ties between Washington and New Delhi remain strong, even as political rhetoric occasionally strains public discourse.