Mumbai— Amid rising concerns over recent U.S. tariff hikes on Indian exports, Congress MP and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor urged support for Indian trade negotiators, emphasizing the importance of protecting national interests while remaining flexible.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of his book Our Living Constitution, Tharoor said, “We need to preserve our export market in America. At the same time, we should engage with other markets like the EU, Japan, and the UK to offset potential losses.”
India exports approximately $90 billion worth of goods to the U.S., making it one of the country’s largest export markets. Tharoor cautioned that even though the impact may appear small as a percentage of GDP, the consequences for exporters could be significant.
“We can’t afford to lose everything. This is why we must support our negotiators to achieve the best possible outcome. In negotiations, there must be a balance—some give, some take. But key national interests must remain non-negotiable,” he said.
Declining to comment on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the government’s handling of trade talks, Tharoor maintained, “My concern is with preserving the strategic and economic partnership with the U.S., which is vital to India.”
Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced 25% reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods and additional penalties related to India’s purchase of Russian oil.
In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the strength of the Indian economy, calling for vigilance in protecting national interests and promoting the use of swadeshi (locally made) products.
On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that India and the U.S. share a “comprehensive global strategic partnership,” anchored in democratic values and mutual interests, which has endured through various challenges. (Source: IANS)
