Modi speaking Trump’s language: Congress on PM’s remarks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interaction with American podcaster Lex Fridman was more about "self-promotion" than addressing governance matters, the Congress said on Monday, 17 March, pointing out concerns like inflation, unemployment, and diplomatic tensions in the region.

The party's criticism reflects its broader stance that the government should focus more on pressing national and international issues rather than media appearances.

On the other hand, supporters of the prime minister might argue that engaging with global platforms like Fridman’s podcast helps India project its image internationally and allows Modi to present his views to a wider audience.

This also brings up a larger debate — should leaders prioritise domestic governance over international image-building, or do both go hand in hand?

Meanwhile, Congress MP and general-secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh's remark was a sharp dig at Modi’s self-perception, referencing the prime minister’s past statements about being “non-biological” and now his comments on the "1+1 theory".

The Congress leader was likely suggesting that Modi's statements were veering into self-mythologising rather than focusing on governance.

"Almost a year ago, he said he was non-biological. Now he says that he believes in the 1+1 theory: 1 in Modi and the other 1 is divine," Ramesh said in a post on X. "He is saying these things when the economy is facing grave challenges, our neighbourhood is volatile and the world order is becoming unstable. There should be minimum self-glorification and maximum governance."

The Congress also attacked Modi over his remarks on the relevance of global organisations, claiming that the PM is clearly going out of his way to keep US President Donald Trump in good humour and "repeating his good friend's chant". This, despite multiple occasions in the recent past when Trump has clearly put Modi in a spot over issues such as trade tariffs and USAID funding.

"Is the Paris Agreement on Climate Change not good for India? Has the UN, in spite of all its weaknesses, not provided for opportunities for Indian peacekeepers abroad?" Ramesh asked.

During his interaction with Fridman, Modi emphasised the need for synchronisation and collaboration to propel global initiatives forward.

He also addressed the relevance of global organisations like the United Nations, noting that their inability to evolve with the times has sparked a global debate on their relevance.

"This is the US President's language. In fact, it is Mr. Trump who is doing his best to make them irrelevant and now Mr. Modi is repeating 'his good friend's' chant," Ramesh claimed.

This criticism aligns with Congress’ broader argument that Modi is aligning too closely with Trump’s worldview, particularly on international institutions. The reference to “his good friend” echoes the camaraderie seen during events like 'Howdy Modi' and 'Namaste Trump', where Modi and Trump publicly showcased their seemingly strong ties.

The claim that Modi is echoing Trump’s rhetoric on global institutions likely stems from his comments on reforming or questioning the relevance of organisations like the UN, WHO, and WTO.

While Modi’s supporters might argue that such institutions do need reform to better represent emerging powers like India, critics see it as playing into a more nationalist, unilateral approach, similar to Trump’s 'America First' ideology.

With PTI inputs