‘India great’: US downplays Trump’s controversial ‘hellhole’ repost

The US sought to contain controversy after President Donald Trump reposted remarks calling India a “hellhole”, with officials clarifying he considers India a “great country”. India reacted cautiously, as diplomatic efforts aimed to defuse tensions triggered by the post

New Delhi: The US on Thursday sought to control the damage done by a controversial social media repost by US President Donald Trump, putting out a message that the American leader believes India is a “great” country led by a “good friend of mine”.

The President has said “India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top”, the spokesperson of the US embassy said.

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The spokesperson’s statement came in response to queries from the Indian media about the controversy created by Trump reposting on social media comments by radio show host Michael Savage that referred to India, China and some other countries as “hellholes”.

The spokesperson did not specify where and when Trump made the remarks that India is a great country.

Savage had made the comments in the context of a case in the US supreme court challenging birthright citizenship.

When asked about about the controversy, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “We have seen some reports. That is where I leave it.”