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Referring to US military action in Venezuela that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro, Prithviraj Chavan asked whether similar coercive tactics could ever be directed at India.
US President Donald Trump with PM Modi. (Photo: Reuters/File)
Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan stirred controversy after asking whether US President Donald Trump could “kidnap” India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, invoking Venezuela while commenting on US tariffs on Indian goods- bizarre remarks that prompted a sharp backlash from the BJP.
Referring to US military action in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, Prithviraj Chavan questioned whether similar coercive pressure could ever be directed at India.
“The question then is: what next? Will something like what happened in Venezuela happen in India? Will Mr Trump kidnap our prime minister?” he said.
The comments were made by Prithviraj Chavan while criticising US trade policy towards India.
Prithviraj Chavan argued that a proposed 50 per cent tariff would effectively cripple India–US trade, adding, “Since a direct ban cannot be imposed, tariffs have been used as a tool to stop trade. India will have to bear this. The profits that our people earlier earned from exports to the US will no longer be available. We will have to look for alternative markets and efforts in that direction are already underway.”
The remarks drew a swift response from the BJP, which accused the Congress of undermining India’s sovereignty. BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “CONGRESS SINKS TO NEW LOW EVERYDAY. Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan shamelessly comparing India’s situation with Venezuela. By asking whether ‘what happened in Venezuela can happen in India’, Congress is making its anti-India mindset clear. Rahul Gandhi wants chaos in Bharat. Rahul Gandhi is seeking foreign intervention in Bharat’s affairs!”
Prithviraj Chavan’s remarks came a day after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sharpened his attack on the PM Modi government, citing comments by Donald Trump on India’s purchase of Russian oil.
“I do not understand why Modi is bending before him. This is harmful for the nation,” Mallikarjun Kharge said, adding, “You were not elected as prime minister to nod to whatever he says.”
Mallikarjun Kharge also flagged developments in Venezuela, warning against what he described as “expansionist” behaviour and attempts to intimidate nations.
“Whoever attempts expansionism does not continue for long. People like Hitler and Mussolini are gone. It is not right that several people who harbour ill thoughts try to disrupt global peace,” he said.
Delhi, India, India
January 06, 2026, 16:05 IST
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