‘Volatile…': Ex-PM Deve Gowda Slams Opposition For Endorsing Trump's ‘Dead Economy' Remark

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Former PM HD Deve Gowda criticised US President Trump for calling India's economy "dead," labeling him volatile and irresponsible.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Friday lashed out at US President Donald Trump over his recent comments describing India's economy as 'dead", saying that the latter is the most 'volatile, uncivil, and irresponsible" head of state in modern history.
In a statement, the JD(S) stalwart said that he was 'surprised" by Trump's 'baseless and ill-tempered remarks" on the Indian economy, and accused the US President of behaving badly not just with India but 'with every other country across the world."
'I don't think modern history has seen another head of state who has been so volatile, uncivil, and irresponsible. Mr Trump has not just behaved badly with India, but with every other country across the world. He has not spared his own longstanding allies," the former Prime Minister said.
'Even a small trader and a poor farmer in India, who conducts his business with great dignity, integrity and humanity, can teach many lessons to Mr. Trump." Read my full statement on the US President's recent comments on India. @narendramodi @PMOIndia @PiyushGoyal @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/CiibX0l5F8 — H D Devegowda (@H_D_Devegowda) August 1, 2025
The 92-year-old Rajya Sabha MP said that Trump has offended not just India but several countries across the world. He said that there was "something fundamentally wrong" with the US President.
'There is something fundamentally wrong with him for which reason, diplomacy or statecraft cannot diagnose and address," he added.
Gowda further said that even a small trader or poor farmer in India, who works with dignity and integrity, could teach Trump a lesson in conduct. 'Even a small trader and a poor farmer in India, who conducts his business with great dignity, integrity, and humanity, can teach many lessons to Mr Trump," he added.
Gowda Praises PM Modi
The former Prime Minister further praised the PM Narendra Modi-led government for standing firm against Trump's "bullying" and not succumbing to external pressure.
'I am very happy and proud that India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has not compromised our national interest. It has not blinked to Mr Trump's bullying and has shown that it will never be dictated by threat," he added.
He also lauded the Modi government for going "the full length" to protect the agricultural sector and small and medium businesses, "on which more than half the nation's population is dependent".
He asserted that the government's "firm stand" would lead to "national resurgence of an unprecedented scale".
Gowda also defended India's economic performance, noting that it remains one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and currently ranks fifth globally. Responding to Trump's 'dead economy" jibe, he said the US President was either 'blind or ill-informed."
The former Prime Minister also hailed India's democratic and sovereign character, saying that the country has always acted in its national interest since Independence, with the "God-given ability and strength to negotiate all difficulties that come its way and emerge stronger".
Gowda's Jibe At Opposition
The veteran leader also rebuked some opposition leaders for echoing Trump's statements. He urged them not to act as 'deluded spokespersons" of the US President.
'They should not harm themselves and their parties, and end up very soon in the dustbin of history alongside Mr. Trump," he said.
Gowda's statement came after Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all Indian goods starting August 1. Later, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, backed Trump's criticism, saying, 'Yes, he is right. Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I'm glad President Trump has stated a fact."
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More
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