Shashi Tharoor Reacts to Trump’s “New Tone” on India: “Cannot Forgive Tariffs or Insults”
- Ram Siddharth
- Sep 8, 2025
- 2 min read
New Delhi, September 8, 2025: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed cautious optimism over US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on India-US relations, while emphasizing that previous affronts cannot simply be forgiven or forgotten.
Tharoor’s Take on India-US Relations
Tharoor was responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm reception of Trump’s comments about the bilateral relationship. The MP acknowledged that while Modi and India’s Foreign Minister had highlighted the importance of the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, there is still significant “repair work” needed by both governments and diplomats.
“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... I think there's some serious repair work that needs to be done by governments and diplomats on both sides,” Tharoor told ANI.
He added that while Trump’s “new tone” is welcome, Indians have faced real consequences due to his earlier statements and policy decisions, which cannot be overlooked.
On Tariffs and Insults
Tharoor specifically cited the 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods imposed during Trump’s tenure, which have had tangible economic consequences:
“I don’t think we can just 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…”
He stressed that diplomacy must proceed with caution, balancing optimism with acknowledgment of past grievances.
Trump Calls India-US Ties “Very Special”
On Friday, President Donald Trump described India-US relations as a “very special relationship”, assuring that he and PM Modi would “always be friends” and that there was “nothing to worry about.”
In response, PM Narendra Modi warmly appreciated Trump’s sentiments on X:
“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.”
Looking Ahead
While both leaders have sought to emphasize the strength of India-US ties, voices like Shashi Tharoor’s remind citizens and policymakers alike that past grievances, economic measures, and personal affronts cannot be ignored. Moving forward, careful diplomacy and measured engagement will be crucial to maintain and strengthen the bilateral partnership.
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