Donald Trump Calls India's Air 'Filthy' In Presidential Debate And Indians Fume In Anger

US President Donald Trump?accused China, India and Russia of not taking care of their "filthy air" as he justified America's withdrawal from the landmark Paris climate agreement.??

Denouncing Democrat rival Joe Biden's plans to tackle climate change in a presidential debate, Trump was quoted as saying,?"Look at China, how filthy it is. Look at Russia. Look at India. The air is filthy."

Trump's remarks came during the final presidential debate with his Joe Biden in Nashville, Tennessee.?His comment did not sit well with Indians with people on social media attacking the US President and even seeking answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Here are some of the tweets:?

While some were angered over Trump's comment, making reference to the grand "Howdy, Modi" event help in February this year, some agreed that the air is indeed "filthy" but didn't like the way he said it.

Trump continued at the televised debate in which the two candidates avoided shaking hands due to safety risks,?"I will not sacrifice millions of jobs... thousands of companies because of the Paris Accord. It is very unfair,"?

Trump's remarks come days before Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper visit New Delhi for talks on building the growing US-India partnership.?

This is the second time that Trump has made a critical reference to India during a debate. At the first presidential debate, Trump questioned India's coronavirus data.??

Also, the US President has repeatedly blamed countries like India and China for not doing enough on climate change.

India is the fourth highest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, accounting for 7 per cent of global emissions in 2017, according to the projection by the Global Carbon Project published in December, 2018.