Congress vs Congress: Rahul Gandhi backs Donald Trump's 'dead economy' remark; Rajeev Shukla pushes back saying 'US Prez is wrong'

NEW DELHI: The Congress party found itself in a public disagreement on Thursday after senior leader Rahul Gandhi endorsed US President Donald Trump’s statement calling the Indian economy “dead,” while fellow Congress MP Rajeev Shukla strongly opposed the claim, insisting the Indian economy remains robust.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi said, “Yes, he is right. Everybody knows this except the Prime Minister and the finance minister. Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I am glad that President Trump has stated a fact.”

He further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to respond to Trump’s multiple controversial remarks, including claims of mediating an India-Pakistan ceasefire, downing of Indian jets, and the imposition of new 25 per cent tariffs. “Why is PM Modi not able to give an answer? What is the actual reason? Who has the control in his hands?” Rahul Gandhi asked.

THE INDIAN ECONOMY IS DEAD.

Modi killed it.

1. Adani-Modi partnership
2. Demonetisation and a flawed GST
3. Failed “Assemble in India”
4. MSMEs wiped out
5. Farmers crushed

Modi has destroyed the future of India’s youth because there are no jobs.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 31, 2025

The Congress MP also criticised India’s foreign policy and said there was “total confusion” in the government. He added, “PM Modi works only for one person – Adani... The Govt has destroyed our economic, defence and foreign policy. They are running this country into the ground.”

However, Rajeev Shukla offered a contrasting view, defending India’s economic legacy and growth. “Trump saying that the economies of India and Russia are dead, is wrong. The Indian economy is not dead,” Shukla said.

#WATCH | Delhi | Congress MP Rajeev Shukla says, "... Trump saying that the economies of India and Russia are dead, is wrong. The Indian economy is not dead. Economic reforms were made when PV Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh were there. Atal Bihari Vajpayee took those reforms… pic.twitter.com/UZ0lLvRzZY

— ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2025

He cited contributions of past governments led by PV Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh. “Our economic condition is not at all weak. If someone claims they can finish us economically, it's likely due to a misunderstanding. Trump is living in a delusion,” he added, criticising Trump's tariff threats and remarks against BRICS and global trade.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also dismissed Trump’s statement in a post on X. “Not that one needs to say it... Indian economy is in the top 5 of the world and one of the fastest growing economies. Calling it a dead economy can only come from a position of arrogance or ignorance.”

Not that one needs to say it there’s enough legitimate data available to know that Indian economy is in the top 5 of the world and one of the fastest growing economies. Calling it a dead economy can only come from a position of arrogance or ignorance. Thank you for your attention…

— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) July 31, 2025

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, had said, “I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” as he announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian imports and warned of penalties over Russian oil trade.