PTC Web Desk: Iran has criticised US President Donald Trump after he shared a post describing countries like India and China as “hellholes” during a debate over birthright citizenship in the United States.
Reacting sharply, the Iranian Consulate in Mumbai posted a video on X showcasing the cultural and natural richness of Maharashtra. In a sarcastic swipe, it suggested Trump take a “one-way cultural detox” trip to India, adding in Hindi, “Kabhi India aa ke dekho, phir bolna.”
The controversy began after Trump reposted remarks by conservative radio host Michael Savage, who criticised US birthright citizenship laws using offensive language. Savage alleged that immigrants from countries such as India and China exploit the system, comments that triggered widespread backlash. Trump’s repost was widely interpreted as endorsing those views.
India lodged a strong protest, calling the remarks “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste.” The Ministry of External Affairs said such statements do not reflect the nature of India-US relations.
“We have seen the comments… They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Amid the row, the US Embassy in New Delhi issued a clarification, stating that Trump considers India a “great country” and shares a positive relationship with its leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The episode has led to fresh diplomatic unease and renewed focus on the language used in immigration debates in the United States.
