Congress Takes Swipe at PM Modi After US Commerce Secretary’s Remark on Trade Deal
Opposition uses Bollywood references to mock Prime Minister following Howard Lutnick’s comments on India–US talks
New Delhi: The Congress on Friday took a sharp dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi using Bollywood-style sarcasm, after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed that a trade deal with India did not materialize because PM Modi did not call US President Donald Trump.
Sharing a video clip of Lutnick’s remarks, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh posted on social media with the jibe, “Hug hug na raha, post post na raha.” Taking the Bollywood reference further, Ramesh added, “Kya se kya ho gaya, bewafa teri dosti mein.”
The remarks were clear cinematic taunts aimed at the Prime Minister. The first line echoed the famous song “Dost Dost Na Raha” from Raj Kapoor’s 1964 film Sangam, while the second was inspired by the iconic number “Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya” from Dev Anand’s 1965 film Guide.
The Congress reaction came after Lutnick stated that the India–US trade deal failed to move forward because Prime Minister Modi did not make a phone call to President Trump.
Speaking in an interview on the All-In Podcast on Thursday, Lutnick explained in detail why the India–US trade agreement has not been finalized so far. “Let me tell you a story about India. I did the first deal with the UK, and we told the UK they had to get it done within two Fridays. The train was leaving the station in two Fridays because I had many other countries working, and if someone else is ready first, they go first. President Trump does deals like a ladder,” Lutnick said.
He added, “On the first rung, you get the best deal. After the first person, you don’t get the best deal.”
According to Lutnick, Trump operates this way to encourage countries to come forward quickly for negotiations. He recalled that after the UK deal, many people asked Trump which country would be next. While naming several countries publicly, the President mentioned India multiple times.
“We were talking to India, and we told India, you have three Fridays,” Lutnick said, adding that the message was clear that the deal needed to be wrapped up within that time frame.
