'Bhai, aap kehna kya chahte ho?': Shashi Tharoor's punny reply leaves internet in splits
NEW DELHI: Congress leader
Shashi Tharoor
is known for his vast English vocabulary, often leaving even the most eloquent speakers momentarily tongue-tied.
But this week, a social media user managed to momentarily puzzle the Thiruvananthapuram MP, prompting a witty and humorous reply from him.
Responding to a playful dig at his use of complex English by an X user, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, "Bhai, aap kehna kya chahte ho (Brother, what do you want to say?)."
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The remarks come after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described India as 'a bit recalcitrant' in ongoing trade negotiations.
While many users praised Tharoor for standing up to the US, one social media user responded with a humorous and deliberately convoluted comment.
"That's fine Shashi but what about the abnegation of camaraderie in the egregious enfranchise that comes from the fatuous of the grandiloquent at the behest of impecunious and insidious semaphore?" a social media user said to which Tharoor replied, "Bhai, aap kehna kya chahte ho (Brother, what do you want to say?)."
'Far better to be recalcitrant than to be tractable'
In a post on X, Tharoor defended India's approach, saying: "I hear some people are accusing India of being 'recalcitrant'.
I say, far better to be recalcitrant than to be tractable, submissive or acquiescent to injustice."
Bessent had commented on the status of trade talks, saying, "But I think we are in a good position. The big trade deals that aren't done or aren't agreed. Switzerland is still around, India has been a bit recalcitrant. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and his team of lawyers are busy papering all this over," during an interview on Fox Business on Tuesday.
Tensions have risen as former US President Donald Trump recently imposed tariffs totalling 50% on India, including a 25% tariff on Delhi's purchases of Russian oil, effective from 27 August.
India's Ministry of External Affairs called the tariffs "unjustified and unreasonable" and added, "Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security."
The tariffs came just days before a US team was scheduled to visit India from 25 August for the sixth round of negotiations on a proposed bilateral trade agreement.
Both countries are aiming to conclude the first phase of the pact by autumn (October-November) this year.
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