The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said it had "seen some reports" regarding US President Donald Trump amplifying remarks by an American commentator who referred to India as a "hell-hole," but did not offer further comment.
"We have seen some reports. That's where I will leave it," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, maintaining a restrained response.
The remarks gained attention after Trump reposted content from conservative radio host Michael Savage's Savage Nation podcast, where Savage criticised US birthright citizenship laws and referred to countries like India and China as "hell-holes." Savage also used harsh language for immigrants from these countries and opposed automatic US citizenship for children born in the US to foreign parents. Trump shared the content while criticising the US Supreme Court's consideration of birthright citizenship and backing calls for a national referendum on the issue.
The controversy triggered political reactions in India, with the Congress party urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to formally protest the remarks. The party accused the government of remaining silent despite repeated comments it called "insulting" and "anti-India."
Meanwhile, Iran also reacted, defending India and China. The Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad described both nations as "cradles of civilisation" and criticised the language used in the debate, linking it to broader geopolitical tensions involving the United States.
In a separate briefing, the MEA also said that 14 Indian ships have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks, while 14 others remain in the Persian Gulf, as tensions continue in the region.
"We have 10 Indian ships which have exited the Strait of Hormuz safely in the last few weeks. We have 14 Indian ships which are still in the Persian Gulf," Jaiswal said.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route handling nearly one-fifth of global oil trade, have escalated following the conflict in West Asia.
Earlier, Iran reportedly attacked a ship bound for Mundra port in Gujarat after the US announced an indefinite ceasefire. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N) said it had seized two vessels, including the MSC-Francesca and Epaminodas. Tracking data indicated that the Epaminodas, a Liberian-flagged vessel, was en route to Mundra from Dubai's Jebel Ali port.
Iran had also targeted two Indian ships earlier, prompting a strong protest from India. Iran's ambassador in New Delhi was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs, where India expressed deep concern over the firing incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels in the Strait.
India emphasised the importance of safe passage for merchant shipping and urged Iran to ensure smooth navigation for India-bound vessels, recalling past cooperation in facilitating maritime movement through the region.
