NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan stirred a political controversy after drawing a striking comparison between India and Venezuela while criticizing US trade policies under President Donald Trump. His remarks came in light of the high tariffs imposed by the US on Indian exports, leading to sharp responses from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

During a recent discussion, Chavan suggested a troubling hypothetical scenario: “The question then is: what next? Will something like what happened in Venezuela happen in India? Will Mr. Trump kidnap our prime minister?” This politically charged statement referenced US military actions leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.

Chavan argued that the planned 50% tariff could severely damage US-Indian economic relations, stating, “Since a direct ban cannot be imposed, tariffs have been used as a tool to stop trade. India will have to bear this.” The BJP responded forcefully, accusing the Congress party of portraying India as weak and questioning its sovereignty. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari criticized Chavan’s remarks, arguing, “By shamelessly comparing India’s situation with Venezuela, Congress is making its anti-India mindset clear.”

The escalating tensions between the two parties come as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge directly attacked the Modi government, alleging that Prime Minister Modi is too accommodating toward Trump. Kharge warned, “You were not elected as prime minister to nod to whatever he says,” while highlighting concerns over foreign interference in domestic affairs.

Despite the ongoing political spat, trade data indicates an increase in exports from India to the US, with November exports rising by 22.61% to nearly $7 billion. This trend suggests that economic ties between the two nations remain robust, even amid heated rhetoric surrounding tariffs and national sovereignty.