Shashi Tharoor dissented from Rahul Gandhi's Trump-related statement, saying that India's economy is not dead, but is moving forward with options and partnerships.
Shashi Tharoor: Amidst the recent political rhetoric and international commentary regarding India's economy, senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor has presented a distinct and balanced perspective. While Rahul Gandhi agreed with the controversial statement of former US President Donald Trump, Tharoor not only rejected it but also presented an approach based on hope and solutions regarding India's economic direction.
Trump's statement and Rahul Gandhi's reaction
Donald Trump recently described the economies of India and Russia as 'dead'. Reacting to this statement, Rahul Gandhi said that Trump has not said anything wrong. He sarcastically said that 'Everyone except PM Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman knows what the state of India's economy is.'
Tharoor's reply: India's economy is not dead
Responding to this statement, Shashi Tharoor said that India's economy is not dead, but is progressing on many fronts. He said, 'We do not need to bow to American pressure. If a trade deal with America does not materialize, India has opportunities for alternative partnerships with Europe, Britain and other countries.' Tharoor also clarified that India is in talks with the European Union, Britain and other countries and some agreements have already been reached. He said, 'If the American market becomes limited for us, then we have to bring in variety, increase production capacity, and deliver our products to other markets.'
Unfair pressure from America
Shashi Tharoor said that discussions about America imposing a 25% tariff on India and a possible 35-100% penalty for buying oil and gas from Russia are worrying. He described it as a unilateral approach of American trade policy. He said, 'If these penalties are implemented, it will harm India-US trade relations. But we must protect our national interests.'
Differences in Congress, but the objective is the same
Tharoor's statement indicates that there are also differences within the Congress party regarding India's economy and foreign policies. However, the objective behind these differences is to improve India's economic condition. Rajya Sabha MP Rajiv Shukla also called Trump's statement absurd. He said, 'India's economy is stable and b. No country can decide who India will trade with. We will not come under anyone's pressure.'
Priyanka Chaturvedi taunted Trump
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticized Trump's statement. She said that 'Such a claim is either motivated by arrogance or ignorance.' She said that such statements about India's economy are against Indian interests and should be refuted.
India's path: Self-reliance and alternative partnerships
Tharoor also said that India should diversify its economic strategy. He said, 'We cannot depend on just one market. American products are not competitive in the Indian market and India's average tariff is 17%, which is not high according to global standards.'
