'He Has His Own Reasons': Shashi Tharoor On Rahul Gandhi Backing Trump's 'Dead Economy' Jibe
Shashi Tharoor declined to comment on Rahul Gandhi backing Donald Trump's "dead economy" jibe towards India, a stance that was criticised by several BJP leaders.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor declined to comment on his party colleague Rahul Gandhi's endorsement of US President Donald Trump's 'dead economy" jibe towards India amid trade talks, saying the priority was on a fair deal for New Delhi.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Tharoor said, 'I don't want to comment on what my party leader has said. He has his reasons for saying so. My concern is that our relationship with the US, as a strategic and economic partnership, is important for us."
'We are exporting around $90 billion worth of goods to America. We can't be in a position to lose that or have it diminish significantly," he said. 'We must wish our negotiators strength to get a fair deal for India."
#WATCH | Mumbai | On Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi agreeing with US President Donald Trump's 'dead economy' remark, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, 'I don't want to comment on what my party leader has said. He has his reasons for saying so. My concern is that our… pic.twitter.com/zwJm4v4vRV — ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2025
Tharoor also said India should be talking to other regions for exporting Indian goods to make up for some of what it may lose to the United States. 'We already have an FTA with the UK, which has tremendous potential. We are well advancing in talks with the EU. If we have a good agreement with the EU, Japan and other countries, we could make up for some of what we might lose in the US, but we cannot lose everything," he added.
'Dead Economy'
Tharoor's remarks came after Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Indian goods, along with an unspecified penalty, citing its refusal to open up agricultural markets and oil imports from Russia, which Washington says is fuelling the Ukraine conflict.
In a harsh statement, Trump later said, 'I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care."
Rahul Gandhi agreed with Trump's statement, saying, 'Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I am glad that President Trump has stated a fact. The entire world knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. BJP has finished the economy to help Adani." His statements drew a fierce response from the BJP, with top leaders accusing him of speaking against the nation.
However, Tharoor disagreed with Trump's views and said, 'No, not at all. That is not the case, and we all know it." Several Congress and Opposition leaders also did not back Rahul Gandhi's endorsement of Trump's views and said that the 'Indian economy is not dead".
view comments
First Published:
August 02, 2025, 17:52 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
6 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Supreme Court relists case where it took judge off criminal cases after 13 Allahabad HC judges protest
Following an unprecedented protest by several judges of the Allahabad High Court, the Supreme Court on Friday will rehear the matter in which it had barred a judge of the Allahabad High Court from hearing criminal cases till his retirement. At least 13 judges of the Allahabad High Court on Thursday sought a full court reference to discuss the SC observations and directions against their colleague, a sitting judge of the HC. It is learnt that one judge moved a letter seeking a full court discussion while 12 of his colleagues signed it. The top court had criticised the HC judge for permitting criminal prosecution in what it said was essentially a civil dispute. The matter will be reheard by a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, which had also passed the August 4 order barring the judge. Sources said there was a view among some of the SC judges that the court could have gone easier in the matter as against the HC judge, and this was conveyed to the CJI. In its August 4 order, the SC asked the Allahabad HC Chief Justice to 'make the concerned judge sit in a division bench with a seasoned senior judge of the high court. We further direct that the concerned judge shall not be assigned any criminal determination till he demits office. If at all at some point in time, he is to be made to sit as a single judge, he shall not be assigned any criminal determination.' The case involved a dispute between a yarn supplier and a cloth manufacturer. Lalita Textile Concern had supplied thread worth Rs 52,34,385 to Shikhar Chemicals, of which Rs 47,75,000 was paid and the rest remained unpaid since August 2019. The owner of Lalita Textile alleged he did not receive payment despite multiple attempts. He moved a magistrate court, which took cognisance of the complaint, and issued summons for the offence punishable under Section 406 (criminal breach of trust) of the IPC. This was challenged before the high court, which dismissed the same. The case then came to the Supreme Court. It said in its verdict: 'With all due deference and humility at our command, we are constrained to observe that the impugned order is one of the worst and most erroneous orders that we have come across in our respective tenures as judges of this court.' The top court added, 'The judge concerned has not only cut a sorry figure for himself but has made a mockery of justice. We are at our wits' end to understand what is wrong with the Indian judiciary at the level of high court. At times, we are left wondering whether such orders are passed on some extraneous considerations or it is sheer ignorance of law. Whatever it be, passing of such absurd and erroneous orders is something unpardonable.' The SC set aside the high court order and remanded the matter to the high court for considering it afresh. The court asked the Chief Justice of the Allahabad HC to assign the matter to any other HC judge.
Deccan Herald
6 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Trump tariff effect: Gem & jewellery exporters stare at severe losses
India's competitors like Turkey, Vietnam, and Thailand enjoy significantly lower tariffs of 15%, 20%, and 19% respectively, thereby making Indian products relatively less competitive in the US market.
Hindustan Times
6 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
MCD holds elections for ad-hoc and statutory committees
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) conducted elections on Thursday for chairperson and vice-chairperson posts across its seven ad-hoc and two statutory committees. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillors secured both positions in eight of these committees, including the key statutory committees on education and rural areas. Delhi mayor Raja Iqbal Singh congratulated the newly elected members. (Archive) Elections were also held for the ad-hoc committees on remunerative projects, community services, grievance redressal, licensing and tehbazari, mahila kalyan and bal vikas, and anti-malaria measures. However, the election for the ad-hoc committee on welfare of Scheduled Castes and implementation of the SC candidates' quota was adjourned following protests by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). AAP councillors demanded cancellation of the election and restoration of the committee's earlier strength of 35 members. Ankush Narang, Leader of Opposition in the MCD, accused the BJP of attempting to silence Dalit voices. Delhi mayor Raja Iqbal Singh congratulated the newly elected members and alleged that AAP councillors created chaos and clashed with security personnel. The AAP refuted the allegations, stating that they were peacefully protesting and were manhandled by the guards. The confrontation led to a disruption in the proceedings and forced the adjournment of one election.
