In the wake of the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Trump-Modi meeting in US has offered a nuanced perspective, commending certain outcomes while expressing hope that critical issues were addressed behind closed doors.
Tharoor, known for his articulate and balanced viewpoints, lauded the decision to engage in comprehensive trade negotiations over the next nine months. He emphasized that this approach is preferable to the immediate imposition of tariffs, which could have adversely affected India’s export sector. “It’s far better than Washington hastily and unilaterally imposing tariffs on us, which could have hurt our exports,” Tharoor stated, underscoring the significance of diplomatic engagement in resolving trade disputes.
The meeting also saw President Trump extolling Prime Minister Modi’s negotiating prowess, referring to him as a “much better negotiator than me.” Shashi Tharoor on Trump-Modi meeting in US acknowledged this commendation, noting that such recognition from a leader like Trump serves as a substantial endorsement of Modi’s diplomatic skills. “To hear a man like Donald Trump… announcing that the Indian prime minister was a better negotiator than he was, that sounds like something Mr. Modi can put in the bank,” Tharoor remarked.
However, Tharoor did not shy away from highlighting areas of concern, particularly regarding the treatment of Indian migrants in the U.S. He expressed hope that Prime Minister Modi addressed the issue of deportations, especially the manner in which Indian citizens have been repatriated. “I hope, behind closed doors, he (Modi) said to the Americans, ‘You can’t insult our people… don’t send them back in shackles and handcuffs on a military aircraft… That is not right’,” Tharoor articulated, reflecting the sentiments of many who are troubled by reports of inhumane treatment during deportations.
Tharoor’s remarks underscore a broader discourse on the importance of safeguarding the dignity and rights of Indian nationals abroad. The recent deportation of 104 Indian migrants, who were returned on a U.S. military aircraft, has sparked a debate on the protocols surrounding repatriation and the necessity for humane treatment. Tharoor’s hope that Modi defended Indian migrants in discussions with Trump highlights the need for diplomatic interventions to ensure that the rights of citizens are upheld, even in complex immigration scenarios.
The Congress MP also reflected on his role as an opposition leader, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging positive developments irrespective of political affiliations. “When someone in government, whether from the Congress or any other party, does something right, it should be acknowledged and praised. When they do something wrong, it should be criticised,” Tharoor asserted, advocating for a balanced and constructive political discourse.
