Ex-PM Deve Gowda slams Trump's India jibe, calls Opposition his deluded spokesperson

UPDATED: Aug 1, 2025 18:11 IST

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda has issued a sharp rebuke to US President Donald Trump over his recent “dead economy” remark.

In a statement, Deve Gowda said he was “surprised” by Trump’s “baseless and ill-tempered remarks” and described Trump as “volatile, uncivil and irresponsible.”

Taking a dig at Trump’s diplomatic record, Gowda added, “Modern history has not seen another head of state so erratic. He has not only behaved badly with India but with every other country across the world—including his own allies.”

He added, “Even a small trader and a poor farmer in India, who conducts his business with great dignity, integrity and humanity, can teach many lessons to Mr. Trump.”

The veteran leader accused Trump of offending not just India but several countries across the world, including long-standing allies. “There is something fundamentally wrong with him for which reason, diplomacy or statecraft cannot diagnose and address,” Gowda said.

He praised the Modi government for not succumbing to external pressure. “India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has not compromised our national interest. It has not blinked to Mr. Trump’s bullying and has shown that it will never be dictated by threat.”

Deve Gowda also lauded the government’s efforts to protect the agricultural sector and small and medium businesses, which he said are the backbone of the Indian economy. “The firm stand that the Modi government has taken will lead to a national resurgence of an unprecedented scale,” he added.

Taking a swipe at Opposition leaders who appeared to support Trump’s remarks, Gowda warned them against aligning with what he called “deluded spokespersons.” “They should not harm themselves and their parties, and end up very soon in the dustbin of history alongside Mr. Trump,” he said.

This came after Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, backed Trump’s criticism, saying, “Yes, he is right Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I’m glad President Trump has stated a fact.”

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