Global Diplomacy, Now Curated by Kangana’s X Feed

Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has deleted a controversial social media post after receiving direct instructions from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President J.P. Nadda. In a tweet shared on X, Kangana stated, “Respected national president Shri @JPNadda ji called and asked me to delete the tweet I had posted regarding Trump asking Apple CEO Tim Cook not to manufacture in India. I regret posting that very personal opinion of mine, as per instructions I immediately deleted it from Instagram as well. Thanks.”

 

The controversy began when Kangana, a newly elected BJP Member of Parliament and vocal public figure, commented on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s alleged remarks to Apple CEO Tim Cook, opposing the company's manufacturing expansion in India. In her since-deleted post, she implied that Trump’s stance reflected jealousy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global stature and India’s growing technological clout. The comment sparked concern, particularly given India's ambitions to become a leading smartphone manufacturing hub.

 

Political analysts see the party’s swift intervention as a move to prevent diplomatic friction with the United States. The Modi government has made significant strides in positioning India as a global manufacturing center, highlighted by Apple’s $2 billion in iPhone exports to the U.S. as of March 2025. Any suggestion of strained U.S.-India tech relations, especially from a BJP representative, risked undermining that narrative. Nadda’s request for deletion reflects the party’s cautious approach to maintaining international optics amid an ongoing economic push.

 

This incident adds to Kangana's history of provocative social media activity. In the past, her outspoken views have drawn both public praise and political discomfort. The BJP had previously distanced itself from her comments during the farmers' protests in 2020–21. While her celebrity status and combative style appeal to some segments of the electorate, the party's leadership is increasingly signaling that discipline and message control remain paramount, especially in matters involving foreign relations.

Facebook Comments