PM Modi-Putin car photo roils US Congress, Democrats warn Trump tariffs ‘flushing away’ decades of trust

A now-iconic image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin sharing a car ride during his India–Russia Summit has landed itself in the middle of a heated debate in the US Congress.

The photo, taken during Putin’s New Delhi visit last week, was held up by US Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove as she rebuked US President Donald Trump’s stance toward India. Calling it “a poster worth a thousand words,” Kamlager-Dove argued that the image symbolised how US strategic partners could drift away if Washington continued with what she described as Trump’s “coercive” policy approach.

Democrats sound alarm on India–US ties

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Speaking at a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, Kamlager-Dove warned that Trump’s tariff-heavy and transactional policies were inflicting long-term damage on one of America’s most important strategic relationships.

“Trump’s policies towards India can only be described as cutting our nose to spite our face,” she said, adding that driving India toward adversaries would neither strengthen the US nor deliver any “Nobel Peace Prize” Trump allegedly seeks.

She stressed that bipartisan efforts over decades had built trust with New Delhi, but the momentum was now “flushed down the toilet” due to steep tariffs, stalled meetings, and visa barriers.

At the same hearing, US Representative Pramila Jayapal also raised alarm over widening trade frictions and restrictive immigration measures concerning Indian professionals.

She pointed to the escalating tariff battle, saying, “These tariffs are damaging India’s economy and also hurting American businesses and consumers.” Jayapal noted that ongoing negotiations had yielded little progress as tensions climbed.

Her comments as Trump eariler accused India of “dumping” cheap rice into the US and hinted at fresh tariffs on Indian agricultural exports during a meeting with American farmers. The remarks have added to the uncertainty surrounding the already strained trade talks underway in New Delhi this week.

In August 2025, the US imposed 50 per cent tariffs on most Indian goods, triggering a strong reaction from New Delhi and freezing several high-level engagements, including the annual Quad Leaders’ Summit.

The photograph at the centre of the debate was taken on December 4, when President Vladimir Putin arrived in Delhi for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit. Breaking protocol, Prime Minister Modi personally received Putin at Palam airport and travelled together with him in a white Toyota Fortuner, while their official armoured convoys followed behind.

The image echoed a similar moment in September 2025 during the SCO Summit in Tianjin, where the two leaders famously shared a ride in Putin’s Aurus Senat limousine. During his two-day visit, both the leaders engaged in wide-ranging talks spanning defence, energy, nuclear cooperation, space, trade, and connectivity.