'MEGA has become MAHA headache for India': Congress slams PM Modi on Trump's double tariffs; raises H-1B visa issue

NEW DELHI: Congress on Wednesday took a swipe at government after the US-imposed tariff came into effect, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's winning formula of "MAGA+MIGA=MEGA" has now become a "MAHA headache" for India.Taking to X, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, expressed concern over the "Trump double tariff" that came into effect today will "hit India's labour-intensive exports to the US - especially textiles, gems and jewellery, leather, marine products, and engineering." He also flagged the issue of growing strictness over H-1B visa system, saying that "Over the last twenty-four hours, the US commerce secretary has also spoken out against" it, which has largely benefited the Indian IT professionals.

The Congress leader also took a jibe at PM Modi's vision of 'Make India Great Again' (MIGA) - a phrase inspired by Trump's signature slogan 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA).Ramesh said that the "same MAGA which Prime Minister Modi used in February this year, in his supposedly winning formula, MAGA+ MIGA= MEGA. This Modi-made MEGA has now become a MAHA headache for India."Earlier in February 2025, PM Modi during his two-day US vivist said that a joint vision of 'MAGA' and 'MIGA' would become a mega partnership for prosperity.

"The people of America are well aware of President Trump's motto 'MAGA - Make America Great Again.' The people of India too are focusing on heritage and development as they move forward at a fast pace and with a firm resolve towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. In the language of America, it's Make India Great Again - MIGA. When America and India work together, this MAGA plus MIGA becomes a 'mega partnership for prosperity' and it is this mega spirit that gives new scale and scope to our objectives," PM Modi had said.