Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Member of Parliament from the Indian National Congress, has offered a measured response to Rahul Gandhi's recent endorsement of former U.S. President Donald Trump's description of the Indian economy as "dead". While refraining from directly criticizing his party colleague's remarks, Tharoor emphasized the critical importance of the India-U.S. economic relationship and the need to protect India's trade interests.

Gandhi's comments came after Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods via his social media platform, Truth Social, also warning of further penalties regarding India's oil imports from Russia. Gandhi asserted that "everybody knows" the Indian economy is struggling, except for the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, further accusing the ruling BJP party of prioritizing the interests of a specific businessman, Adani, over the nation's economic well-being.

In response to a question about Gandhi's statement, Tharoor stated, "I don't want to comment on what my party leader has said. He has his reasons for saying so". He then pivoted to highlight the significance of the strategic and economic partnership between India and the United States. Tharoor stressed that India exports approximately $90 billion worth of goods to the U.S. annually and that it is crucial to avoid any significant reduction in this trade volume.

Tharoor also voiced his support for India's trade negotiators, urging that they be given the support needed to secure a fair deal for the country. He suggested exploring alternative regions for exporting Indian goods to compensate for potential losses in the U.S. market. He took a more tempered approach on Thursday, describing the US tariffs as possibly a "bargaining tactic" amid ongoing trade negotiations.

Tharoor's stance underscores a nuanced perspective within the Congress party regarding economic policy and international relations. While Gandhi adopted a more aggressive stance, echoing Trump's criticism and directly attacking the Modi government, Tharoor opted for a more cautious approach, emphasizing diplomacy and the need to safeguard India's economic interests.

This divergence in opinion highlights the complexities of navigating international trade relations, especially when dealing with protectionist measures and potentially volatile political rhetoric. Tharoor's emphasis on the importance of the U.S.-India relationship reflects a pragmatic understanding of the global economic landscape and the need for strategic partnerships to ensure India's continued growth and prosperity.