The US president had shared a transcription of remarks from conservative podcast host Michael Savage in a controversial post on Truth Social
"A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring the entire family in from China or India or some other hellhole on the planet. You don't have to go too far to see that. English is not spoken here anymore. There is almost no loyalty to this country amongst the immigrant class coming in today, which was not always the case," read the letter shared by Trump.
As the remarks triggered outrage in India, Trump issued a clarification.
In a statement issued by the US Embassy in New Delhi, Trump said India is a "great country" and called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "very good friend".
"The president has said, 'India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top'," a US embassy spokesperson said.
In a statement shared on X, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson said it had seen Trump's remarks and the subsequent clarification by the US Embassy.
The MEA spokesperson added the remarks don't reflect the India-US relationship, which is based on mutual respect and shared interests.
"We have seen the comments, as also the subsequent statement issued by the US Embassy in response. The remarks are obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste. They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests," the statement read.
India's opposition criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his alleged silence.
Posting on X, TMC MP Mahua Moitra mocked the Modi's rapport with Trump, saying: "Hello @narendramodi ji your Phraand Trump just called India a 'hell hole' and all Indians 'gangsters with laptops'.
"Are you going to protest or are you just going to Khi Khi your way to your next poll rally in Bengal?"
