Shashi Tharoor Defends India's Stance Amid US Trade Negotiations

Tharoor's Response to US Trade Secretary

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor recently took a jab at US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who remarked that India has been somewhat resistant in trade discussions with the United States. Tharoor asserted that it is preferable to be resistant than to be 'tractable, submissive, or compliant with injustice.'

Bessent had previously commented on the ambitious goal of finalizing all tariffs and trade agreements by the end of October, stating that while it is a hopeful target, it may not be realistic.

He noted, "We are in a favorable position. The significant trade agreements that remain unresolved—Switzerland is still in the mix, and India has shown some resistance. The US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and his legal team are working to address these issues," during an interview on Fox Business.

In a post on X, Tharoor responded to the accusations of India's resistance, saying, "I hear some people are accusing India of being 'recalcitrant'. I say, far better to be recalcitrant than to be tractable, submissive or acquiescent to injustice."

A user on X, poking fun at Tharoor's use of complex vocabulary, quipped, "That’s fine Shashi, but what about the abnegation of camaraderie in the egregious enfranchise that comes from the fatuous of the grandiloquent at the behest of impecunious and insidious semaphore?"

Tharoor humorously replied, "Bhai, aap kehna kya chahte ho (Brother, what do you want to say?)."

As trade talks between India and the US continue, President Trump has imposed tariffs amounting to 50% on India, including a 25% tariff on India's purchases of Russian oil, effective from August 27.

In response, India's Ministry of External Affairs labeled the tariffs as "unjustified and unreasonable."

The ministry emphasized that, like any major economy, India will take all necessary actions to protect its national interests and economic security.

The announcement of the additional 25% tariffs coincided with a scheduled visit from a US delegation to India on August 25 for the sixth round of negotiations regarding the proposed bilateral trade agreement.

Both nations are aiming to finalize the first phase of the agreement by this fall (October-November).