Donald Trump Avenue has become the centre of a political controversy in India after authorities in Hyderabad renamed a prominent road in honour of US President Donald Trump, prompting criticism from rival political parties and members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The newly named road is located in Hyderabad, the capital of the southern state of Telangana, which is governed by the opposition Congress party. The route runs alongside the US Consulate and is situated near the offices of major American technology companies, including Microsoft, Google and Amazon.
The renaming took effect on Tuesday and immediately triggered political debate, particularly as Congress leaders have recently criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government over its handling of relations with the United States.
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Relations between Washington and New Delhi have faced challenges during President Trump’s second term. Disagreements have emerged over US tariffs on Indian goods, sanctions linked to India’s purchases of Russian oil and Washington’s engagement with Pakistan.
Reacting to the development, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Congress of sending mixed political messages. In a post on social media platform X, he questioned why a Congress-led government would honour President Trump while senior Congress leaders continue to criticise US policies toward India.
The decision also attracted criticism from other political groups. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) described the move as “outrageous” and called for the road’s original name to be restored.
Congress leaders defended the decision, arguing that the renaming reflects Hyderabad’s growing importance in US-India cooperation and the city’s role as a major destination for American investment and technology companies.
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Although Donald Trump has not visited Hyderabad during either of his terms as US president, former US presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush both visited the city during their time in office.
The controversy comes shortly after President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, where both leaders agreed to continue negotiations on a broader trade agreement between their countries.
The debate over Donald Trump Avenue has highlighted the increasingly complex political and diplomatic discussions surrounding India-US relations, with the road’s new name becoming a symbol of wider domestic political divisions.
