A decision to rename a prominent road in Hyderabad as “Donald Trump Avenue” has triggered political controversy in India, drawing criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition from other political groups.
The road, located in Hyderabad, the capital of the southern state of Telangana, was officially renamed on Tuesday. The area is situated near the United States Consulate and the offices of several major American technology companies, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.
The renaming comes at a sensitive time in US-India relations. Since returning to office, US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on Indian goods, taken measures against India’s purchases of Russian oil, and strengthened engagement with Pakistan, developments that have generated concern in New Delhi.
The move has prompted criticism from the BJP, which accused the opposition Congress party, the ruling party in Telangana, of hypocrisy. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla questioned why Congress would honor Trump with a road name while simultaneously criticizing his policies and accusing the Modi government of failing to respond strongly to actions perceived as harmful to Indian interests.
The controversy has also attracted criticism from other political parties. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) described the decision as “outrageous” and called for the renaming to be reversed.
Congress leaders defended the move, arguing that it reflects Hyderabad’s growing importance in the relationship between India and the United States. They said the city has become a major hub for American investment, technology firms, and diplomatic engagement, making the gesture symbolic of broader bilateral ties rather than support for any specific policy.
Interestingly, Trump has never visited Hyderabad during either of his presidential terms, although former US presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush both traveled to the city during their time in office.
The debate comes shortly after Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit and agreed to continue negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement.
The road renaming has become the latest flashpoint in India’s increasingly polarized political landscape, where foreign policy and international relations often become subjects of domestic political debate.