Donald Trump has thanked India after a road in Hyderabad was named "Donald Trump Avenue", calling himself the first American President to receive such an honor. But the gesture has also drawn political debate; critics are against Trump’s repeated threats of tariffs on India.
Trump expressed his gratitude in a post on Truth Social on Friday after the Telangana government officially named the road to the US Consulate in Hyderabad as ‘Donald Trump Avenue’. A picture of Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor unveiling the ceremonial plaque, Trump wrote: “The new Donald Trump Avenue in Hyderabad, India -- The first US President to ever be honoured in this way. Thank you."
The newly designated road is situated near the Hyderabad offices of major American tech companies, including Microsoft, Google and Amazon. The Telangana government said the name was a tribute to the United States and that it was an acknowledgment of Hyderabad’s growing role in boosting India-US economic and diplomatic ties.
Critics Raise Questions Over the Honour
On the other hand, Trump’s road-naming has received some praise from political observers and social media users. But such an honor was being extended to a leader who has consistently taken a tough trade stance against India.
Donald Trump has frequently threatened or imposed tariffs on Indian exports and has frequently accused India of unfair trade barriers. Most recently, he warned that countries imposing digital services taxes on American technology companies could face a 100% tariff on exports to the United States, although India is unlikely to be affected after abolishing its equalisation levy.
The development has also revived memories of previous times when small groups in India organised "yagnas and pujas" praying for Trump’s return to the White House, given his close personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Though the two leaders are friends-in-chief, trade has been a contentious issue during Trump’s presidency and his administration has frequently used tariffs to try to put forward his policy as America First. The most recent debate is a reminder that diplomatic symbolism is not what is actually in the real world in terms of trade negotiations.
