India Cannot Remain ‘Mute Spectator’ as WTO, WHO Are Destroyed by Trump, Says Congress

The Congress party on Friday (August 1, 2025) launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government’s foreign policy silence amid what it described as a systematic destruction of global multilateral institutions by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who is the party’s general secretary in-charge of communications, said that India has “the highest stakes” in institutions like the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) — both of which, he alleged, are being gutted by Washington under Trump’s second term.

“The WTO had been dealt very heavy blows during Trump-I. It has been destroyed during Trump-II. The rules-based, multilateral trading system put in place with the US itself playing a leadership role has been finished off,” Ramesh said in a statement issued in Delhi.

Congress: India Must Lead, Not Lag

Mr. Ramesh accused the Modi government of being a silent observer while foundational pillars of the international order are being dismantled. He said India must go beyond slogans and acronyms to defend the multilateral system it depends on for its economic rise.

“India cannot remain a mute spectator, content with coining slogans or acronyms. We must act,” he said. “Multilateralism is not just a legacy of our foreign policy — it is a necessity for our economy, trade, and health systems.”

Ramesh’s comments come at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, with U.S. President Trump issuing sweeping new tariffs on dozens of countries — including India — and questioning the relevance of international bodies such as the WTO, WHO, and even the United Nations.

WTO: From Global Trade Guardian to Collapsed Forum

The World Trade Organisation, established in 1995, was created to promote free and fair global trade through dispute resolution, negotiation, and enforcement of global trade rules. For decades, it has acted as a neutral arbiter in trade conflicts and helped maintain global supply chain stability.

However, under President Trump’s first term, the WTO’s Appellate Body — the mechanism responsible for resolving trade disputes — was effectively paralysed by the U.S. refusing to appoint judges. That deadlock continues in Trump-II, with the U.S. reportedly threatening to withdraw altogether unless major reforms are instituted that favour its economic interests.

Why India Is Concerned

India has historically relied on the WTO to protect its trade interests, particularly in cases involving subsidies, agricultural protections, and intellectual property rights. Many Indian exporters and small industries also benefit from the predictability and dispute resolution the WTO provides.

In recent months, Indian industries have raised concerns about arbitrary U.S. tariffs, especially on textiles, pharmaceuticals, and steel, as Washington increasingly prefers bilateral deals over global frameworks.

“Without the WTO, India’s trade disputes would be settled by power politics, not fair rules,” said a former Indian trade negotiator. “That leaves developing countries highly vulnerable.”

WHO Also in Trump’s Crosshairs

While Ramesh’s primary focus was on the WTO, he also criticised President Trump’s attacks on the World Health Organisation (WHO) — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and now in the post-pandemic global health restructuring process.

“From COVID to tuberculosis to nutrition, India has worked with WHO for decades. If WHO collapses, our entire public health strategy will face serious disruption,” he warned.

In 2020, Trump had temporarily cut U.S. funding to WHO, accusing it of favouring China. Though the Biden administration later reversed that move, Trump has resumed his confrontational stance since returning to power in January 2025.

Modi Government’s Silence Questioned

The Congress also took direct aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of being too soft or silent on issues of global governance. Ramesh said that while leaders across Europe and Asia have raised alarms about Trump’s unilateralism, India has so far avoided taking a public stance.

“We are being reduced to slogan-coining spectators in a global crisis. Where is India’s leadership? Where is our voice?” he asked.

Congress also questioned the BJP government’s global ambitions, saying that India cannot seek a permanent seat in the UN Security Council or aspire to lead the Global South if it is unwilling to speak up for multilateralism when it matters most.

Reactions from Diplomats and Experts

Several former Indian diplomats echoed the Congress’s concerns, albeit in less political terms. A former foreign secretary said that India needs to “strike a balance” between protecting its strategic ties with the U.S. and defending institutions it has helped build.

“If India wants a seat at the high table, it must not be afraid to defend the table itself,” he said.

Global trade experts also agreed that Trump’s actions pose a serious risk to countries like India that thrive in structured, rules-based systems.

“In the absence of the WTO, bigger economies like the U.S. and China will set the rules. That’s not good news for India’s exporters,” said Prof. Shweta Menon, a trade policy scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

What Happens Next?

As of now, there has been no official reaction from the Modi government or the Ministry of Commerce to Ramesh’s remarks. However, senior government officials are reportedly closely watching developments in Geneva, where WTO reforms are being discussed amid rising tension.

Meanwhile, the Congress party is likely to raise this issue in Parliament in the remaining days of the Monsoon Session, pressing the government to articulate India’s position on WTO, WHO, and broader U.S. trade pressures.

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