Shashi Tharoor Rejects Trump's Claim of India Having a 'Dead Economy
Shashi Tharoor, senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament, strongly refuted former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that India’s economy is “dead.” He stated simply: “This is not the case,” directly countering both Trump and his own party colleague, Rahul Gandhi, who had supported the claim.
Tharoor suggested that Trump’s comments—alongside the announcement of a 25% tariff on Indian imports—may be part of bargaining tactics in ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S., rather than an accurate economic assessment. The
🔎 Context & Reactions
Trump’s Commentary: On Truth Social, Trump dismissed India and Russia as “dead economies”, rolled out tariffs, and criticized India’s close ties with Russia, especially in defense and energy.
Divergence in Views: Rahul Gandhi echoed Trump’s critique, blaming India’s economic woes on the Modi government. Tharoor, however, firmly disagreed—highlighting a rift within the Congress party. The Times of India+8
Strategic Lens: Tharoor’s criticism emphasized that Trump’s rhetoric served as diplomatic leverage in trade talks rather than genuine economic analysis, urging caution in accepting it at face value. Hindustan Times+3
🚩 Why It Matters
Domestic Discord: Tharoor’s stance marks a clear contrast with Rahul Gandhi and shows internal debate within the opposition on how to handle Trump's remarks.
Trade Negotiation Climate: The statement comes at a tense moment, with the 25% U.S. tariff set to kick in from August 1, impacting key export sectors and complicating talks.
Global Optics: The dispute feeds into broader concerns about how India’s economic posture—and its strategic ties with Russia—are being framed internationally.
✳️ Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Trump’s claim | Referred to India (and Russia) as “dead economies”, imposed 25% tariff |
| Tharoor’s response | Firm rejection: “This is not the case” and warning of negotiating subtext |
| Intra-party divide | Rahul Gandhi agreed with Trump; Tharoor openly disagreed |
| Broader significance | Reflects geopolitical trade posturing and domestically contested rhetoric |
Shashi Tharoor remains confident in India’s economic resilience and warned against accepting foreign skepticism as fact. If you’d like direct quotes from Tharoor, context on Congress party dynamics, or trade expert analysis, just say the word.