The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday launched a tirade against the Congress party after former US President Donald Trump hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In an episode of a podcast, Trump referred to Modi as the “nicest human being” but a “total killer” against any perceived threat. BJP alluded to Modi’s strong response against Pakistan as against the “insipid” response of the then Congress-led UPA during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
Trump said this on the Flagrant podcast hosted by Andrew Schulz and Akash Singh. He spoke very highly of Modi, calling him a friendlier and tough leader. Trump also pointed out that though Modi looks like a kind and sweet father outside. He is quite fierce and determined when it comes to threats.
The BJP on Friday shared Trump’s comments on its official social media handle pointing to critiques comparing the weak response of the then Congress-led UPA government in response to the Mumbai terror attacks versus Modi’s aggressive stance. Former US President Donald Trump, in the Flagrant podcast, termed Prime Minister Modi the nicest human being but a total killer. He said Modi caught him off guard with his threat of aggressive retaliation against Pakistan. When he had said, ‘We would handle them; India has defeated them for hundreds of years,’)” read the post from the BJP. The party further juxtaposed Modi’s action against Congress’s response to the attack in 2008.
During the podcast, Trump praised Modi for his change in demeanor if confronted with threats. Trump said, “Modi (India), he’s a friend of mine and also the nicest human being. On the outside, he looks like he’s your father. He’s the nicest. And a total killer.” He also said that before Modi took over the prime minister job in 2014. India had become pretty unstable, where leadership changes stole the show. The admiration Trump has for Modi is said to stem from the kind of leadership style adopted by the prime minister. Whenever he deals with his country’s adversaries.
Trump spoke of the famous “Howdy Modi” event in Houston, Texas, in 2019, which underlined the close relationship between India and the United States. There was a huge crowd of some 80,000 people at the event. Trump spoke fondly of the event: “It was me and him, and it was beautiful.” He added, “We were walking about. Today, maybe I won’t be able to do something like that.”
The former President of the United States was joined in furthering his close, personal relationship with Modi. He talked about a discussion between himself and Modi on India-Pakistan tensions regarding cross-border terrorism. Trump remembered saying to Modi, “Let me help as I am very good with those people.” And Modi “got angry, and he gave me a stern reply, like this: ‘I do it, I will handle it, would do anything necessary.’ We have defeated them for hundreds of years.” Trump said, “Whoa, what just happened there?”
Trump further complimented Modi on his determination and leadership. Adding that Modi and his team are “tough and smart.” The former president explained that though some of them are good and others not, all of them are at “the top of their game.”
This praise by Trump comes in the face of turmoil in relations between India and Pakistan. Especially over issues related to cross-border terrorism. And then came Trump’s comments about Modi’s toughness. A direct reference to Modi’s no-nonsense approach toward Pakistan, accused of supporting terrorism within India.
He has earlier called Modi a “fantastic man” and complimented his leadership. The recent comments just show how high Trump regards Modi and their relationship at a State level. The BJP, meanwhile, capitalized on Trump’s praise to attack Congress for its way of tackling the 2008 attacks on Mumbai. While highlighting the difference in the styles of leadership between the two major political parties.
ANI
