NEW DELHI: A diplomatic outreach campaign by the US Embassy in Delhi has run into trouble after several auto-rickshaw drivers were seen tearing down posters of President Donald Trump from their vehicles. This comes days after three Indian sailors were killed in a US strike on a tanker in Oman.The “#Freedom250” campaign had placed Trump-themed covers and banners on about 100 auto-rickshaws across Delhi with slogans like “Happy Birthday America!” The unusual advertising campaign was unveiled in May by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor as part of a broader push to mark 250 years of American independence, with celebrations planned in several countries.But the goodwill exercise backfired after three Indian sailors were killed when US forces struck their tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman between June 8 and 11. The dead have been identified as Patnala Suresh, Aditya Sharma and Shivanand Chaurasia.
‘They are killing our Indians over there’
Social media clips now show auto drivers pulling down Trump posters while crowds cheer them on. Videos from the scene show drivers shouting profanities at Trump and urging fellow auto drivers to tear down the imagery.“They are killing our Indians over there,” one driver is heard saying, warning others not to put any American messaging or preaching on their autos. The video ends with shouts of “Hindustan Zindabad” from the auto drivers.For Delhi’s auto drivers, the promotional campaign became a visible symbol of American military action that killed Indian citizens. What was meant to be a celebration of US independence turned into a flashpoint for public anger.When the campaign was first launched in May, many drivers had little interest in Trump or American independence. Driver Ganesh Kumar, whose vehicle carried one of the posters, told AP at the time that he initially refused when organizers approached him.“I told them I didn’t want it,” Kumar said. But he relented after organizers offered him a packet of tea. Another driver, Pradeep Kumar, said he agreed mostly because the canopy of his auto-rickshaw was torn and needed covering. Asked if he knew what the advertisement said, he replied: “I know he is Trump. Don’t know much other than that.”
Diplomatic fallout
India has summoned senior US diplomats twice and told Washington that killing civilian mariners cannot be justified. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has raised the matter with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.The incident has added fresh strain to bilateral relations at a time when both sides were trying to deepen their strategic partnership. Washington had been seeking to stabilize ties after they soured over Trump’s tariff policies, which raised duties on several Indian exports.Opposition leaders and families of the victims have demanded a tougher response from the government.
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