Congress MP and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor has claimed there is a “hidden message” in US President Donald Trump’s steep tariff hike on Indian exports, imposed as a penalty for oil purchases from Russia. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Tharoor highlighted that while China buys almost double the oil India imports from Russia, Washington has given Beijing 90 days before additional tariffs apply, whereas India has just three weeks.
The US has already imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods from Thursday, with the rate set to rise to 50% later this month.
“How is this Reciprocal?”
Tharoor Questions US Logic
Tharoor pointed out that India’s average tariff on US imports is around 17%, and called the US action far from “reciprocal” as claimed by Washington.
“We should wait for three weeks, and if nothing changes, we should retaliate with the same rate,” Tharoor said.
“There seems to be some other hidden message from Washington. The government should respond after carefully understanding the situation.”
Impact on $90 Billion Trade
India’s annual trade with the US stands at about $90 billion. Tharoor warned that if Indian goods become 50% costlier, American buyers might switch to cheaper alternatives from Vietnam, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or China.
He also appealed to Indian-origin Americans, including leaders like Nikki Haley, to press the US administration to treat India fairly.
Political Reactions
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge blamed PM Narendra Modi’s “dithering diplomacy” for the tariff crisis. Modi, while not directly naming the US, said he would not allow farmers’ interests to be compromised.
(PC: NDTV)
