US-based singer and cultural ambassador Mary Millben on Friday unleashed a sharp retort to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, telling him to “return to your ‘I hate India tour’” and questioning his capability to lead the nation. Her comments came after Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “frightened of Donald Trump,” prompting a public spat played out on social media.
Millben, known for her vocal support of Modi, took to X (formerly Twitter) to respond directly. “You are wrong, @RahulGandhi. PM @narendramodi is not afraid of President Trump. PM Modi understands the long game, and his diplomacy with the US is strategic,” she wrote. She added that just as a US president places America first, Modi too “will do what is best for India.”
In her sharper rebuke, she told Gandhi, “I don’t expect you to understand this type of leadership because you don’t possess the acumen to be the PM of India. Best to return to your ‘I hate India’ tour that has an audience of one — you.”
You are wrong, @RahulGandhi.
PM @narendramodi is not afraid of President Trump. PM Modi understands the long game and his diplomacy with the U.S. is strategic. Just as @POTUS will always put America’s interests first, so will PM Modi do what is best for India. And I applaud that.… https://t.co/4p0HNRCAv2— Mary Millben (@MaryMillben) October 17, 2025
Gandhi’s Allegation and Millben’s Response
Gandhi, in a post on X the prior day, had accused Modi of being overly deferential to the US, arguing that the Prime Minister “allows” former President Trump to dictate India’s Russia oil policy. He also claimed Modi continued to send congratulatory messages despite repeated snubs, cancelled a finance minister’s US visit, skipped Sharm El-Sheikh, and failed to publicly contradict Trump on Operation Sindoor.
Millben pushed back on those claims, asserting that Modi’s diplomacy is calculated and that a head of state must always act in national interest. She presented the US-India relationship as one of strategic alignment, rather than submission.
Millben’s Background & Her Link With Modi
Mary Millben is an American singer, actress and self-styled cultural ambassador. She rose to prominence in Indian media after performing “Om Jai Jagdish Hare” and has repeatedly expressed admiration for Indian cultural symbols.
Her first widely publicized connection with PM Modi came during his state visit to the US in June 2023, when she performed the Indian national anthem at the Ronald Reagan Building. Afterward, she made headlines by touching Modi’s feet to seek his blessings — a gesture that went viral internationally.
Trump’s Russia Oil Claim & India’s Official Response
Earlier this week, former President Trump claimed that Modi had assured him India would end Russian oil imports, framing it as a “big step” in isolating Moscow. “He’s assured me there will be no oil purchases from Russia … the process is going to be over soon,” Trump said.
However, India has neither confirmed such a commitment nor acknowledged such a conversation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, reiterated that India’s import policies are driven by market conditions and consumer interests. He pointed out that India seeks diversification in energy sources and emphasizes reliable supply and price stability.
Jaiswal also noted that India has long sought to expand energy procurement ties with the US, and that ongoing dialogues reflect a shared interest in deeper cooperation.
Political Ripples & Reactions
The exchange underscores escalating tensions between Congress and BJP-backed voices on India’s foreign policy balance, especially with the US. Some BJP-aligned commentators have jumped into the fray, accusing Gandhi of being out of touch with nationalist sentiment and suggesting his critiques stem from misunderstanding rather than substance.
On social media, Millben’s supporters welcomed her bold defense, celebrating an external voice endorsing Modi’s leadership. Others criticized her for intervening in India’s internal political discourse from abroad. The sharpness of Millben’s language — urging Gandhi to return to an “I hate India tour” — has drawn both applause and backlash.
Meanwhile, Gandhi has not yet publicly responded to Millben’s remarks. Whether this subsides or becomes a recurring flashpoint in the broader Indo-US and domestic political narrative remains to be seen.
