NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — President Donald Trump moved to clarify remarks linked to a controversial “hellhole” comment about India, following sharp criticism from Indian political leaders and public figures. The clarification came through a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi on Thursday. The controversy began after Trump reposted content from a conservative radio host that described India, China, and other countries using derogatory language. The repost triggered backlash in India and raised concerns about diplomatic relations.
In response to the uproar, a U.S. Embassy spokesperson emphasized Trump’s positive stance toward India. The statement quoted the president as saying, “India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top,” referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The clarification aimed to ease tensions after widespread outrage across India. Many critics viewed the repost as an endorsement of offensive language about the country and its people.
The issue began when Trump shared a transcript from a political talk show hosted by conservative commentator Michael Savage. In the discussion, Savage criticized U.S. birthright citizenship laws and used inflammatory language to describe immigrants from countries like India and China.
Savage argued that individuals travel to the United States late in pregnancy to secure citizenship for their children. He claimed that such practices exploit American laws and harm national identity. His remarks also included criticism of the American Civil Liberties Union, accusing it of supporting policies that favor undocumented immigrants. Trump’s decision to repost the content on his social media platform fueled the controversy. Critics said the move appeared to validate the statements made in the transcript.
The remarks drew strong reactions from opposition leaders in India. The Indian National Congress party condemned the comments, calling them insulting and unacceptable. In a statement posted on social media, the party urged Prime Minister Modi to raise the issue directly with Trump. The message said the comments hurt the dignity of every Indian citizen. Congress leader Supriya Srinate also criticized Trump’s remarks. She questioned how the U.S. president could refer to India in such terms and called for a firm response from the Indian government.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs took a measured approach. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal avoided direct criticism and said only that officials had “seen some reports” regarding the issue. His brief response signaled a cautious diplomatic stance, even as public and political reactions intensified within the country.
The controversy also reignited debate over birthright citizenship in the United States. The policy grants automatic citizenship to nearly all individuals born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Savage argued that decisions on such issues should reflect public opinion rather than judicial rulings. He also criticized the U.S. Constitution, claiming it is difficult to amend and limits policy changes.
