Selfie Diplomacy: Modi–Putin Photo Sparks U.S. Congressional Storm

Washington, D.C.: A selfie taken inside the SUV carrying Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin has ignited intense debate in the U.S. Congress, amplifying criticism of President Donald Trump’s foreign-policy approach and prompting renewed calls for Washington to reassess its strategy toward India.

Holding up the viral image during a congressional hearing, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove delivered a sharp warning, accusing the United States of pushing India closer to Russia through its own missteps.
“This picture is worth a thousand words,” she said. “Trump’s policies toward India can only be described as cutting off our nose to spite our face.”

Kamlager-Dove argued that the current administration had damaged the “strategic trust and mutual understanding” between the two nations. “No one wins a Nobel Peace Prize by driving America’s strategic partners into the arms of our adversaries,” she declared, adding that the moment should serve as “a wake-up call” for Washington. She stressed that being a coercive partner “comes at a cost.”

Acknowledging the strain in India–U.S. relations, the Congresswoman noted that both Republicans and Democrats understood the gravity of the situation and thanked the committee chair for placing the issue on record.

 A Low-Profile Ride, High-Impact Message

This was President Vladimir Putin’s first official visit to India since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. He was welcomed at Delhi’s Palam Airport with a red carpet and a warm embrace from Prime Minister Modi.

In a departure from customary protocol, the two leaders travelled not in armoured limousines but in a white, India-assembled Toyota Fortuner—an understated SUV often used by Indian security agencies. Their destination: the prime minister’s residence for a private dinner.

Putin later revealed that the ride had been his idea, describing it as a “symbol of our friendship.” He added, “We spoke throughout the drive… there is always something to discuss.”

The informal, almost intimate journey resonated far beyond New Delhi. In Washington, it was seen as a visual rebuke to U.S. attempts to pressure India over its oil imports from Russia and long-standing defence ties.

By spotlighting the selfie in Congress, Kamlager-Dove sought to underscore a broader strategic concern: that aggressive U.S. tariffs, pressure tactics, and coercive diplomacy could erode a critical partnership—potentially pushing India away from the West and closer to Moscow.