A key road named after United States President Donald Trump in India's opposition-ruled tech hub of Hyderabad has drawn criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party, which dismissed the move as hypocrisy.
Background of US-India Tensions
US-India ties have deteriorated during Trump's second term, with Washington imposing high tariffs on Indian goods, punishing New Delhi for purchasing Russian oil, and engaging closely with India's arch-rival Pakistan.
The road in the capital of the southern state of Telangana, ruled by the main opposition Congress party, adjoins the US consulate and is near the offices of major American tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.
Renaming Ceremony and Political Reactions
The road received its new name, Donald Trump Avenue, on Tuesday, at a time when Congress has been accusing Modi of being compromised by not taking on Trump on issues from the tariffs to US attacks on Indian-crewed tankers during the Iran war.
Rahul Gandhi says President Trump is hurting Indian interests, Shehzad Poonawalla, a spokesperson of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said on X on Wednesday, referring to the top Congress leader. Then why is his government in Telangana giving the ultimate tribute to him by renaming a road after him? Poonawalla questioned.
The move drew criticism from other political parties when unveiled this month, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) calling it outrageous and demanding its withdrawal.
Congress's Justification
Congress says the renaming gesture demonstrates Hyderabad's growing role in the partnership of the two countries. Trump has not visited Hyderabad during his two terms in office, although predecessors Bill Clinton and George W. Bush both did.
Trump and Modi met on the sidelines of last week's G7 summit in France and agreed to push forward a trade deal they have been negotiating.
