Malegaon Blast Case: India Must Be Ready to Walk Away If US Trade Demands Are Unreasonable: Shashi Tharoor

Amid ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said that India must prioritize national interest and be prepared to walk away if the U.S. makes "completely unreasonable" demands.

India Must Be Ready to Walk Away If US Trade Demands Are Unreasonable: Shashi Tharoor 

#WATCH | Delhi | On trade negotiations between the US and India, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "It is a challenging negotiation. We are negotiating with many countries. The US is not the only negotiation. We have ongoing negotiations with the EU, we already concluded a deal… pic.twitter.com/tl85WKiMjW

— ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2025

Speaking to the media in Delhi, Tharoor stated, “It is a challenging negotiation. We are negotiating with many countries. The US is not the only negotiation. We have ongoing negotiations with the EU, we already concluded a deal with the UK, and we are talking with other countries also.”

Tharoor stated, “It is a challenging negotiation

Tharoor emphasized that India is not entirely dependent on the U.S. market and should look at trade diversification if the talks fail to produce favorable outcomes. “If we can't compete in America, we may have to diversify our markets outside of America. We are not out of options,” he said.

He further added that India's economic structure gives it the flexibility to act in its own interest. “That is the strength of India; we are not a totally export-dependent economy like China. We have a good and strong domestic market,” Tharoor remarked.

The senior Congress leader also urged the public and political leadership to stand firmly behind Indian negotiators. “We must give strong support to our negotiators to find the best deal possible. If a good deal is not possible, we may have to walk away,” he concluded.

Tharoor’s remarks come at a time when trade ties with the U.S. are under close watch, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals, digital services, agriculture, and strategic goods. The possibility of tariffs and stricter trade conditions under a changing U.S. political landscape has added to the uncertainty.

The Indian government has not issued a formal response to Tharoor’s comments, but the broader tone of trade policy underlines a cautious and strategic approach as India balances geopolitical interests and economic resilience.