The Congress has cautioned the Narendra Modi government against turning the visit of Donald Trump into an extension of the US presidential campaign, arguing that India’s long-term national interest should be the guiding principle in any such international engagement.

Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said: “We don’t become an active party in the elections of another country. The mistake was made in Texas earlier at the ‘Howdy, Modi’ event (last September). Wrong precedents were set. Trump is being given an unprecedented welcome; there is no precedent in India for such a public reception. Modi has his characteristic style. But we should take care… this should not become an extension of the American presidential campaign.”

The Howdy, Modi event, during which Modi had gone to the extent of saying “Abki baar Trump sarkar” in front of a huge gathering of the Indian diaspora, had been viewed by many as a campaign in favour of the Republicans before the November 2020 US elections.

Pointing out that the government was required to concentrate on substantive issues of India’s interest, Sharma said: “We don’t have a problem if the Prime Minister wants to splurge money on his friend’s visit. Event management and festivities are fine but the entire visit should not be reduced to a PR exercise and a photo opportunity. There are outstanding issues to be addressed.”

He added: “The categorisation of India as a developed country meant the abolition of the GSP (Generalised System of Preferences). This is not good for our industries and the GSP should be restored. This also means the US can impose countervailing measures on trade.

“We also demand enhancement of H1B visas. The contributions from our professionals to social security should be returned. We are not opposed to purchase of helicopters but what about the agreement on joint research in defence production? Our relations cannot be devalued by basing it on transactions alone, we have a strategic partnership with the US.”

The Congress leader said no country had the right to interfere in Indian’s sovereignty and independent decision-making. “If we buy defence systems from Russia, we cannot be punished or forced to buy items of equal amount from the US.”

Sharma contested suggestions that the Congress was opposing the visit of the US President by asserting that the party was only asking the government to fight for national interest.

The Congress also took strong exception to what it described as the “shocking hypocrisy” of crediting a hitherto unheard of “Nagrik Abhinandan Samiti” for the management of Trump’s tour.

Sharma said: “Is the US President coming on the invitation of this committee? When was this committee registered, who is funding it? Artistes from 28 states will perform — is this being organised by this committee? Such high-level diplomatic engagement should have some seriousness and gravitas; the government doesn’t have to lie about it.”

He added: “We know the Gujarat government is shouldering the expenses. A special grant has been given to the Ahmedabad municipal corporation. A quota has been fixed by the government — colleges, universities and government employees have been given tasks.

“Every block has to send 100 teachers. Everybody except the Opposition leaders has been asked to come. Trump has been promised 70 lakh people…. We have no problem but the outcome will decide if there was something substantive, more than visual impact.”

The Congress also took a dig at the lavish preparations, wondering if this was in tune with Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy.

“Ahmedabad is the land of Gandhi. We are celebrating the 150th (birth) anniversary of Gandhi. The poor has been insulted, shut out by walls. And over Rs 100 crore is being spent on the three-hour tour,” Sharma said.

The Gujarat Congress has also objected to the building of the wall to obscure a slum from Trump’s view.