At an event in Pune, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized Donald Trump's remarks about India, saying U.S.-India ties depend more on foreign policy than presidential statements.
Tharoor highlighted global instability and defended India's stand on key issues like ‘Operation Sindoor’ and constitutional secularism.
He humorously addressed speculation about his political future, saying he has no personal ambition but is ready to serve the country if needed.
Pune, 4th August 2025: Congress leader and Member of Parliament Dr. Shashi Tharoor on Sunday responded to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about India, calling them insulting and politically motivated. Speaking at two events in Pune to promote his new book Our Living Constitution, Tharoor urged people not to interpret Trump’s statements literally but to understand the intent behind them.
“He should be taken seriously, but not literally. When Trump calls India a ‘dead economy’, it’s more about belittling than analysis. However, the real strength of India-U.S. ties lies not in the president’s words but in long-term foreign policy,” Tharoor explained.
The Pune events were hosted by Urban Connect and Crossword Bookstores. In a discussion with Urban Connect MD Abhishek Kulkarni and later with Crossword CEO Akash Gupta, Tharoor touched upon several global and domestic issues.
He remarked that the world today is unstable, especially with unpredictable leadership like Trump’s in the White House. “Even global experts find it hard to forecast Trump’s next policy move. His trade tariff decisions have impacted the entire world, including India. Still, India-U.S. relations remain strong, and our officials are working on reducing tariffs. We must give them time,” he said.
Tharoor also addressed India’s diplomatic success with Operation Sindoor, where various countries supported India’s stance in meetings led by an all-party delegation.
On the topic of secularism, Tharoor defended its place in the Constitution. “The word was added through a democratic constitutional amendment approved by Parliament and upheld by the courts. Our Constitution grants freedom of religion and the right to practice and promote one’s faith. In India, secularism doesn’t mean detachment from religion, but equal respect and encouragement for all religions.”
When asked about his political future, whether he might become Vice President, Kerala’s next Chief Minister, or Foreign Minister, Tharoor gave a light reply: “As of now, only one of those posts is vacant. The current Foreign Minister is doing a good job. I’m not seeking any position, but I’m always ready to take up any responsibility the country needs me to.”
