'Outrageous': Indian tech hub names road for Trump, drawing criticism from Modi's party

Lead

A road in Hyderabad, India's tech hub, has been renamed "Donald Trump Avenue," a move that has drawn criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party and sparked debate over the state of US-India relations. The road, which adjoins the US consulate and is near the offices of major American tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, was ceremonially renamed on June 23, 2026, according to reporting from The Hindu — World.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the renaming varies in emphasis. Dawn and the South China Morning Post both highlighted the criticism from Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), framing the story around the deterioration of US-India ties during Trump's second term. The Hindu — World, in contrast, focused on Trump's gratitude for the honor, describing the Telangana government's designation as a tribute to the United States.

All three outlets agree on the central facts: the road is near the US consulate and major American tech firms, and the naming has provoked criticism from the ruling party. Dawn and the South China Morning Post both note that US-India ties have deteriorated under Trump, citing tariffs on Indian goods, New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil, and Washington's engagement with Pakistan. The Hindu — World adds details about Trump's personal reaction, reporting that he expressed gratitude on his Truth Social platform, calling himself "the first U.S. President to ever be honoured in this way."

Key Claims

• A road in Hyderabad has been named "Donald Trump Avenue," as reported by Dawn, the South China Morning Post, and The Hindu — World.
• The road is near the US consulate and offices of major American tech companies, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, according to Dawn and The Hindu — World.
• US-India ties have deteriorated during Trump's second term, with Washington imposing high tariffs on Indian goods, punishing New Delhi for Russian oil purchases, and engaging closely with Pakistan, as reported by Dawn and the South China Morning Post.
• The renaming has drawn criticism from Modi's ruling party, which called it "hypocrisy," according to Dawn and the South China Morning Post. This criticism was voiced by Shehzad Poonawalla, a BJP spokesperson, who questioned why Congress, which leads the Telangana government, would give "the ultimate tribute" to Trump.
• Trump expressed gratitude for the naming, as reported by The Hindu — World, sharing a photograph of the unveiling ceremony on Truth Social.
• The ceremony took place on June 23, 2026, during a reception marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence, as detailed by The Hindu — World.
• The Telangana government described the designation as a tribute to the US and a recognition of Hyderabad's growing role in US-India relations, per The Hindu — World.
• Congress says the renaming gesture demonstrates Hyderabad's "growing role" in the partnership between the two countries, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Perspectives

The renaming has drawn a sharp rebuke from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which dismissed it as "hypocrisy." Shehzad Poonawalla, a BJP spokesperson, pointed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's criticism of Trump, asking why the Congress-led Telangana government would then "give the ultimate tribute" to the US president. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also called the move "outrageous" and demanded its withdrawal, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

In response, Congress, which rules Telangana, defended the gesture as demonstrating Hyderabad's "growing role" in the US-India relationship. The Telangana government described the designation as a tribute to the United States, a framing echoed by The Hindu — World. Trump himself expressed gratitude, saying he was the first US president to be honored in this way.