PM Modi took part in the “Howdy, Modi!” event in Houston, Texas, in September last year (File)
New Delhi:
Congress leader Kapil Sibal took a sarcastic swipe at the government today, hours after US President Donald Trump – who last month hailed his “great friend” Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claimed the support of Indian Americans voting in next month’s US presidential election – slammed the country for its “filthy air”.
In a terse tweet posted Friday morning, Mr Sibal highlighted the “fruits” of the Prime Minister’s visit to the US in September last year (specifically the lavish and contentious “Howdy, Modi!” rally in Houston) and the claims of a warm rapport that have since developed between the two countries.
“Trump: Fruits of Friendship: 1) Questions India’s Covid death toll, 2) Says India sends dirt up into the air… India’s air is “filthy”, 3) Calls India “tariff king”… The result of “Howdy, Modi!” he tweeted.
Trump : Fruits of Friendship
1) Questions India’s COVID death toll
2) Says India sends dirt up into the air
India “ air is filthy “3) Called India “ tariff king “
The result of “Howdy Modi “ !
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) October 23, 2020
Mr Trump, speaking at the final presidential debate before the United State’s November 3 election, referred to “filthy air” in India as he defended his decision to pull out of the Paris accord – a key global deal to combat climate change by reducing CO2 emission, among other steps.
The comment provoked an immediate response from Twitter users in India, with both “#FilthyIndia” and “Howdy, Modi” trending online.
Some of the posts pointed to the appalling quality of air in Delhi to say Mr Trump was not, in fact, incorrect. One user took screenshots from the central government’s app to monitor air pollution levels in the national capital and contrasted it with that from a similar app for US capital Washington, DC.
“Delhi’s Air Quality Index is 567… Washington DC’s Air Quality Index is 25 – Pic 1: Delhi, Pic 2: Washington DC… And, we are to blame. We need to change our ways. Don’t give “pollution less” gyaan only on Diwali. Follow that lifestyle all through the year,” the tweet read.
Delhi’s Air Quality Index is 567
Washington DC’s Air Quality Index is 25
Pic 1: Delhi
Pic 2: Washington DCAnd, we are to blame. We need to change our ways.
Don’t give “pollution less” gyaan only on Diwali. Follow that lifestyle all through the year.#FilthyIndiapic.twitter.com/4birxOo5QM
— Vaidehi 🇮🇳 🕉️ (@dharmicverangna) October 23, 2020
Others, meanwhile, followed Mr Sibal in questioning the Prime Minister over his “friendship” Mr Trump.
Senior researcher and columnist Michael Kugleman asked: “After Trump’s multiple unflattering references to India in these debates, will Narendra Modi reconsider the endorsement he appeared to offer to candidate Trump at the “Howdy Modi” shindig some time back?”
After Trump’s multiple unflattering references to India in these debates, will Narendra Modi reconsider the endorsement he appeared to offer to candidate Trump at the “Howdy Modi” shindig some time back?
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) October 23, 2020
One user wrote: “Modi’s best Friend Trump says – Look At India, it’s Filthy. Remember Modi had spent 100crs of tax payers money for his visit to India & campaigned for him in howdy modi event/ Embarrassing Moment for India!!”
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed tweeted: US President says India is “filthy”. Earlier he said India had a ‘tremendous problem’ with Covid. This is how so-called ‘good friend’ of PM Modi, for whom he spent Rs 100 cr of taxpayer money for a 3-hour roadshow, speaks about India!”
US President @realDonaldTrump says India is ‘filthy’. Earlier, he had said that India had a ‘tremendous problem’ with Covid-19. This is how the so called ‘good friend’ of PM Modi, for whom he spent Rs 100 cr of taxpayer money for a 3 hour roadshow, speaks about India!
— Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) October 23, 2020
“And he (Mr Trump) is right about it I mean when we are home (to the) world’s largest slum and we have most polluted cities on planet and the fact our government cares more about religion than environment so yeah Trump is right on this at least #FilthyIndia,” another user wrote.
And he is right about it I mean when we are home of world’s largest slum and we have most polluted cities on planet and the fact our government cares more about religion than environment so yeah Trump is right on this at least #FilthyIndiahttps://t.co/xjGtzHTJn6
— Alerdikie (@Alerdikie) October 23, 2020
The American president has frequently claimed that both China and India produce more CO2 than his country and should be appropriately penalised.
However, according to a Washington Post report in June this year, India is still well behind China and the US and is outside a list of 100 countries when emissions are calculated per person; the US is 14th while India is 140th.
PM Modi’s visit to the US last year (and Mr Trump’s in February this year) were touted as proof of a good relationship between the two nations. Mr Trump has frequently praised Prime Minister Modi and “incredible” India since, particularly as he persuades Indian American to vote for him.
All of that praise, however, seemed not to be in evidence during the final presidential debate that took place in the early hours of Friday morning.
Mr Trump’s barbs drew sharp comments from others as well, with Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi among those responding.
What an unfortunate comment to make about India, @realDonaldTrump .
Reminder: India stands committed to climate change goals, US chose to withdraw, much against the wishes of many Americans. Thank you.— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) October 23, 2020
This is the second time Mr Trump has made a critical reference to India during a presidential debate. At the first debate, he questioned the accuracy of India’s coronavirus data.
Mr Sibal’s third “fruits of friendship” barb was a reference to an October 2018 comment by Mr Trump, when he lashed out at “tariff king” India for imposing “high tariffs” on American products.
