Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday backed U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent controversial remarks calling India a “dead economy,” saying the statement reflects a reality the Indian government refuses to admit.

Speaking to reporters, Gandhi, who currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said, “Yes, he’s right. Everyone knows it — except the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. The Indian economy is dead. I’m glad President Trump said it out loud. The whole world sees it, but the BJP won’t accept it. They’ve destroyed the economy just to benefit Adani.”

Later, in a post on social media platform X, Gandhi doubled down on his criticism, directly blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“THE INDIAN ECONOMY IS DEAD. Modi killed it,” Gandhi wrote, listing what he said were key reasons behind the decline:

1. Adani-Modi partnership

2. Demonetisation and flawed GST

3. Failed ‘Assemble in India’ plan

4. MSMEs wiped out

5. Farmers crushed

“Modi has destroyed the future of India’s youth because there are no jobs,” he added.

Gandhi’s remarks come in the wake of fresh backlash against the Modi government’s economic policies, especially after Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian imports — a move that sparked debate over the state of India’s trade relationships and domestic economy.

In his post on Truth Social, Trump also took a swipe at India’s growing trade ties with Russia, saying, “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.” He criticized India for imposing “some of the highest tariffs in the world,” claiming that the U.S. does “very little business with India.”

Trump didn’t spare Russia either, adding, “Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory!”

The remarks from both Trump and Gandhi have stirred political debate, drawing sharp reactions from supporters and critics alike, with many anticipating a formal response from the Indian government.