Mary Millben lauded Modi’s compassion and global role but focused on broader themes of peace and personal anecdotes, without directly addressing the oil trade spat or Gandhi.
Renowned American singer Mary Millben has emerged as a vocal defender of Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid a brewing controversy sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments on India’s Russian oil imports. Following Rahul Gandhi’s sharp rebuke of Modi on social media, Millben used her X platform to counter the Congress leader’s narrative, praising Modi’s diplomatic strategy while questioning Gandhi’s understanding of leadership. In a separate exclusive interview, Millben lauded Modi’s compassion and global role but focused on broader themes of peace and personal anecdotes, without directly addressing the oil trade spat or Gandhi.
This episode highlights the intersection of U.S.-India relations and domestic Indian politics, as Trump’s re-election and foreign policy pronouncements continue to influence global energy dynamics. Millben, a Grammy-nominated artist with a history of performing for world leaders, has positioned herself as a bridge between the two nations, drawing from her experiences at events like the 2019 “Howdy Modi” rally.
The Catalyst: Trump’s October 16 Statement on India-Russia Oil Trade
The dispute ignited on October 16, 2025, during a rally in Pennsylvania, where President Trump asserted that Prime Minister Modi had personally committed to halting India’s purchases of Russian crude oil. “He’s assured me today that they (India) will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump stated, portraying the move as a significant step in pressuring Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine and urging other importers like China to follow suit. The remark came amid heightened U.S. efforts to enforce sanctions, with India – the world’s third-largest oil importer – accounting for about 1.8 million barrels per day of Russian crude, helping fund Russia’s war economy.
Indian officials quickly clarified the position, with the Ministry of External Affairs emphasizing New Delhi’s focus on “energy security and national interests” without confirming any binding pledge. A MEA briefing on the same day noted ongoing discussions but no formal assurances. Analysts suggest India’s imports, which have risen since 2022, provide discounted energy vital for economic growth, complicating any abrupt shift despite Western pressure.
Rahul Gandhi’s Fiery Response: Accusations of Modi Being ‘Frightened’ of Trump
Hours after Trump’s comments, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, unleashed a five-point critique on X, framing Modi’s diplomacy as submissive. “PM Modi is frightened of Trump,” Gandhi posted, listing grievances including allowing Trump to “decide and announce” the oil halt, sending “congratulatory messages despite repeated snubs,” canceling a finance minister’s U.S. visit, skipping the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, and failing to contradict Trump on “Operation Sindoor” – a reference to India’s military response to a recent terrorist attack.
Gandhi’s thread, which amassed over 7.5 million views, portrayed Modi as outsourcing foreign policy to Washington, resonating with opposition narratives ahead of state elections. BJP spokespersons dismissed it as “baseless fear-mongering,” while the post drew polarized reactions, with supporters hailing Gandhi’s assertiveness and critics accusing him of undermining India’s strategic autonomy.
Mary Millben’s Swift Rebuttal: X Post Challenging Gandhi’s ‘Acumen’
On October 17, Mary Millben – whose powerful performances have graced White House events and Indo-U.S. summits – fired back on X, directly addressing Gandhi. “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,” she wrote. Millben applauded Modi’s focus on India’s interests, drawing parallels to Trump’s America-first approach: “Just as @POTUS will always put America’s interests first, so will PM Modi do what is best for India. And I applaud that. That’s what Heads of State do.”
Escalating her critique, Millben added: “I don’t expect you to understand this type of leadership because you don’t possess the acumen to be PM of India. Best to return to your ‘I hate India’ tour that has an audience of one – you.” The post, quoting Gandhi’s thread, exploded with over 48,000 likes and 4.4 million views, trending under hashtags like #MaryMillben and #ModiStrong. Media coverage from NDTV, India Today, and Deccan Herald amplified it, framing Millben as an international voice endorsing Modi’s savvy amid the row.
Millben’s intervention wasn’t isolated; her pro-India stance dates back to touching Modi’s feet at “Howdy Modi” and supporting U.S.-India defense initiatives. However, it sparked backlash, with some accusing her of partisanship or foreign meddling.
Follow-Up Defense: Millben Rejects ‘Paid Propaganda’ Claims on X
By October 24, as trolls labeled her a “BJP proxy,” Millben doubled down in another X post, sharing photos from her performances and quoting her original message. “Darlings. Let me be very clear. No President, Prime Minister, government, or political party pays me to speak truth,” she declared. “God empowers me to speak truth as does the First Amendment… And to all you @RahulGandhi ‘Gandhi goons’ spreading false narratives, I will just speak the truth louder, and LOUDER.”
She thanked Grok for fact-checking queries about her identity and reiterated her role as a “proud defender of @narendramodi, @POTUS, and two great countries who need each other.” The update garnered 7,000 likes, underscoring her resolve amid the online storm.
IMillben Praises Modi’s Compassion and Global Leadership
In a media interview, conducted during her New Delhi visit, Millben shifted to heartfelt tributes for Modi, recounting personal milestones without revisiting the Gandhi spat. Calling him “a good friend,” she reminisced about a UN Yoga Day event: “I was so honoured to be seated very close… It was beautiful to see him so kind and communicative with everyone there, especially with the many young people present. Watching him participate in yoga was extraordinary.”
On global challenges, including the aftermath of a “horrific terrorist attack” tied to Operation Sindoor, Millben offered condolences and hailed Modi’s “bold leadership in defending India.” She expressed hope for collaborative peace efforts: “It’s my hope that more leaders like Prime Minister Modi and certainly President Donald Trump, whose leadership has contributed to a number of peace deals recently, become more active in helping to mitigate conflict.”
Millben, who credits an Indian caregiver from her youth for her cultural affinity, called India her “second home” and advocated for stronger bilateral ties. Her words reinforce her as a cultural diplomat, though they notably sidestep the oil controversy.
Implications: Echoes in U.S.-India Ties and Domestic Politics
As India maintains its Russian imports – unlikely to drop rapidly per energy trackers – Trump’s remarks test the Quad alliance’s resilience. For Gandhi, Millben’s jabs risk amplifying perceptions of ineffectiveness, with Modi’s approval ratings steady at 65% per recent polls. Millben’s saga, blending celebrity and geopolitics, underscores how social media amplifies transatlantic discourse, potentially influencing diaspora opinions ahead of U.S. midterms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did President Trump say about India’s Russian oil imports on October 16, 2025?
President Trump claimed during a Pennsylvania rally that PM Modi assured him India would stop buying Russian oil, framing it as a step to isolate Moscow over Ukraine. Indian officials clarified no such pledge was made, prioritizing energy security.
2. How did Mary Millben respond to Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of PM Modi?
In an October 17 X post, Millben defended Modi as strategically diplomatic, not “afraid” of Trump, and questioned Gandhi’s leadership acumen, urging him to resume his “I hate India” tour. She rejected funding allegations in a October 24 follow-up.