Thiruvanthapuram: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday said governments and diplomats of both India and the US should do ‘some serious repair work’ adding that ‘One can't just forget and forgive so quickly’ the fifty percent tariff or insults, news agency ANI reported.
Following PM Modi’s response to President Trump, Tharoor made it clear that tariffs imposed by Trump left the people facing some ‘real consequences’, which could not be completely forgotten.
Welcoming the ‘new tone’ with what he said a ‘spirit of caution’, Tharoor pointed out that ‘The Prime Minister was very quick to respond, and the Foreign Minister has also underscored the importance of the basic relationship that is a comprehensive global strategic partnership, which is still there. And that message is an important message for us to give’.
Calling for both sides to carry out ‘some serious repair work’ Tharoor said that he ‘would welcome this new tone with a spirit of caution. One can't just forget and forgive so quickly because there are real consequences that Indians are facing on the ground, and those consequences need to be overcome’.
He further stated that the tariffs imposed by Trump had consequences on the people, which could not be completely forgotten.
Referencing the President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs he said that India could not completely forget ‘either the 50 per cent tariffs or the insults that have accompanied it from both the President and his staff’.
‘Mr Trump has a fairly mercurial temperament, and what he has been saying has caused some hurt and offence in our country. The 50 per cent tariffs have actually had consequences already.’ Tharoor was quoted as saying.
After weeks of targeting India for buying Russian oil alongside imposing 50 per cent tariffs, President Trump on Friday softened his stance calling the India-US ties a ‘very special relationship’.
President Trump made it clear that he and PM Modi would always be friends, stating there is ‘nothing to worry about’.
Responding to Trump, PM Modi said: ‘Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.’
Referencing the US criticism of India buying Russian oil, Tharoor said that previous US administration had encouraged India to buy Russian oil to stabilize global oil prices.
He added that ‘China buys more Russian oil and gas than we do. Turkey buys more Russian oil and gas than we do. Europe doesn't buy oil and gas, but they buy other Russian items, so they're putting more billions of dollars into Russia's kitty than we do’.
Tharoor questioned the US policy of accusing India of financing Russia’s war in Ukraine, pointing out that ‘others are doing far more than we are’.