Modi-Putin Carpool Image Sparks Criticism of Trump’s India Policy
A recent photograph showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin carpooling drew attention during a US congressional discussion on India-US relations.
«This poster is worth a thousand words,» said US Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove, highlighting the image while sharply criticising the Trump administration’s policies towards India.
«Trump’s policies towards India can only be described as cutting our nose to spite our face. Being a coercive partner has a cost. And this poster is worth a thousand words,» Dove said, adding, «You do not get a Nobel Peace Prize by driving US strategic partners into the arms of our adversaries.»
Her remarks targeted Trump’s repeated claims that he deserved the peace prize for halting eight wars, including tensions between India and Pakistan.
Dove called for immediate action to repair the damage to the US-India relationship, stating, «We must move with incredible urgency to mitigate the damage that this administration has done to the US-India partnership and return to the cooperation that is essential to US prosperity, security, and global leadership.»
Her comments came during the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia’s hearing titled The US-India Strategic Partnership: Securing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
Tensions between the two countries have been heightened by Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs on most Indian exports in August 2025, amid broader concerns over India’s imports of Russian oil. A US trade delegation visited India on December 10-11 to discuss these issues, but talks have stalled due to disagreements over market access and tariff policies, further straining the trade relationship.
