Congress MP and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticized the United States for imposing steep tariffs on Indian goods, calling the move disproportionate and laced with a “hidden message.”
He urged the Indian government to adopt a calm yet firm approach, recommending reciprocal tariffs if the situation doesn’t change in the next three weeks.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Tharoor pointed out the contrast in how the US has handled similar trade with China. “China is buying nearly twice as much oil from Russia as India, yet they’ve been given 90 days, while we’ve been given only three weeks,” he said. “This doesn’t seem reciprocal.”
The US has already implemented a 25% tariff on Indian imports, with plans to raise it to 50% later this month, in retaliation for India’s continued oil trade with Russia. In contrast, China has been granted a longer window to adjust.
Tharoor emphasized that India should not be intimidated by threats. “India doesn’t operate on the basis of threats. But if there’s no shift in the US position within three weeks, we should respond in kind,” he said, adding that India’s average tariff on US imports is about 17%, far less than what is now being imposed.
He also called on Indian-origin Americans to appeal to the US administration for fair treatment, citing Republican leader Nikki Haley’s recent remarks urging Donald Trump to prioritize US-India ties over China.
“There is clearly more going on beneath the surface. The government must study the matter carefully and respond wisely,” Tharoor said.
Highlighting the economic impact, he warned that if Indian goods become 50% costlier in the US, buyers may turn to cheaper alternatives from countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, or Bangladesh, potentially harming India’s $90 billion trade relationship.
Earlier in the day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge blamed PM Modi’s “dithering diplomacy” for the situation. While Modi has vowed not to compromise on farmers’ interests, he refrained from directly addressing the US tariffs.
