Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has responded with caution to the apparent shift in US President Donald Trump's tone regarding relations with India, particularly after weeks of escalating tensions and trade disputes. Trump recently described India-US relations as "special" and called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "great Prime Minister," a stark contrast to his earlier criticisms.

Tharoor acknowledged Prime Minister Modi's quick and warm response to Trump's remarks, as well as the External Affairs Minister's emphasis on the "comprehensive global strategic partnership" between the two nations. However, the former diplomat urged a "spirit of caution," emphasizing that the "hurt and offense" caused by Trump's previous actions, including the imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, cannot be easily dismissed.

"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," Tharoor stated. He highlighted the "real consequences" that Indian companies and workers are already facing due to these tariffs, including challenges in sectors like steel and shrimp exports.

Tharoor also addressed comments made by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who suggested that India would soon "say sorry and try to make a deal with Trump". Tharoor firmly rejected this notion, asserting, "I don't think we have anything to say sorry about at all. India has behaved with a great deal of maturity on all of this". He further explained that India is a sovereign nation that makes its own decisions.

He pointed out the inconsistency in the US position, noting that other countries, including China and those in Europe, purchase more oil and gas from Russia than India does. "It seems bizarre that we are alone being singled out for allegedly financing the Russian war effort when others are doing far more than we are," Tharoor said.

Tharoor observed that Trump has a "fairly mercurial temperament" and that his previous statements had caused "hurt and offense" in India, creating a "certain bruising of the Indian spirit". He stressed that "some serious repair work" is needed by both governments and diplomats to mend the relationship.

Echoing Tharoor's sentiments, former Indian diplomat KP Fabian suggested that Trump's softened stance indicates a realization that his aggressive trade tactics against India "did not produce the desired outcome". Fabian added that Trump is beginning to understand that India "cannot take dictation" and will not "surrender" to pressure.

Despite the positive signals, Tharoor expressed concern that a potential meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump at the United Nations General Assembly is unlikely to occur, as the Prime Minister is not expected to attend. He expressed hope that progress could still be made through working-level talks between trade delegations.

While welcoming the "new tone" from Washington, Tharoor reiterated the need for caution, emphasizing that "one can't just forget and forgive so quickly because there are real consequences that Indians are facing on the ground".