Hyderabad: The renaming of a prominent road in Hyderabad after US President Donald Trump has drawn both appreciation and debate, with Trump himself publicly acknowledging the gesture as a rare honour.Trump thanked the Telangana govt after a road adjoining the US consulate in Hyderabad was renamed “Donald Trump Avenue”.Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump shared a photograph of the unveiling ceremony and wrote that he was the first American president to have a road in India named after him. “Thank you!” he wrote, calling the recognition an unprecedented “honour”.However, the decision has sparked debate. Critics questioned the appropriateness of honouring Trump at a time when many Indians continue to face uncertainty over increasingly restrictive US immigration policies and reports of rising anti-immigrant sentiment. Others argued that the timing was insensitive given the continuing tensions in West Asia. Several voices on social media also said roads and public landmarks in Telangana should instead be named after local freedom fighters, prominent personalities, or individuals who played a key role in the Telangana statehood movement.The road was renamed earlier this week as part of Freedom 250 celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Located in Financial District at Nanakramguda, the stretch is surrounded by major global technology firms. State officials described the move as a tribute to the strengthening strategic and economic ties between Hyderabad and the US.The commemorative plaque was jointly unveiled by US ambassador to India Sergio Gor and deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka in the presence of diplomats, govt officials, and representatives from the business and technology sectors.Addressing the gathering, Gor said Hyderabad exemplifies the rapid growth of India-US ties, particularly in technology, aerospace, defence, and innovation. He also thanked the Telangana govt for the gesture, calling it a reflection of the deepening partnership between the two countries. He had also said: “Nowhere is the high speed of trajectory of our partnership more evident than in Hyderabad.”
