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Key Points

Shashi Tharoor clapped back at US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's label of India as "recalcitrant," arguing it's better than submission. The US imposed steep tariffs on India over its Russian oil imports, calling it a national security threat. India's MEA condemned the move as unjust and vowed to protect national interests. Meanwhile, Trump suspended trade talks until the tariff dispute is resolved.

Key Points: Shashi Tharoor Defends India as Recalcitrant After US Trade Remarks

  • Tharoor counters US Treasury's "recalcitrant" remark with strong nationalist stance
  • US imposed 50% tariffs citing India's Russian oil purchases
  • MEA calls US tariffs unfair and vows protective measures
  • Trump halts trade talks until tariff dispute is resolved
3 min read

Far better to be recalcitrant than to be tractable: Shashi Tharoor takes dig at US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor counters US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's "recalcitrant" comment, asserting India's stance against injustice.

"Far better to be recalcitrant than to be tractable, submissive or acquiescent to injustice – Shashi Tharoor"

New Delhi, August 14

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday took a dig at US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's "India a bit recalcitrant" remark, saying that it was better than being "tractable, submissive or acquiescent to injustice."

"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," Tharoor posted on X.

His remarks come after US Treasury Secretary Bessent recently stated that India has been headstrong in their trade negotiations with the US, noting that New Delhi has been "a bit recalcitrant", days after US President Donald Trump announced an additional 25 per cent tariff, citing the country's oil purchase from Russia.

Speaking to Fox Business Network's "Kudlow", Bessent also stated that there were still some "big trade deals" yet to be done or agreed upon, including Switzerland and India, acknowledging the possibility of concluding tariff negotiations by October.

"There are big trade deals that aren't done and aren't agreed (upon). Switzerland is still around; India has been a bit recalcitrant. I think we have agreed on substantial terms with all the substantial countries," the US Treasury Secretary stated."That's aspirational. I think we're in a good position," he added when asked about the possibility of concluding tariff negotiations by October.

On August 6, Trump signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India in response to New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil, taking the total tariff on India to 50 per cent.

According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States. The additional tariffs will take effect on August 27.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has slammed the US's move to impose additional tariffs, calling it "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable", and further noted that New Delhi will take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests".The announcement came days after he announced the 25 per cent reciprocal tariff on India, which came into effect on August 7.

Meanwhile, Trump had earlier stated that there would be no trade negotiations with India until a dispute over tariffs is resolved.

When pressed by ANI at the Oval Office on whether he expected talks to resume in light of the new 50 per cent tariff, he stated, "No, not until we get it resolved."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I appreciate Tharoor's wit, I wish our government had better diplomatic skills to avoid such public spats. Trade wars hurt common people the most - look at how onion prices shot up last time!
R
Rohit P
America wants to bully everyone into submission. First China, now India. But we're not some small country they can push around. Time to strengthen trade with other partners like EU and Middle East.
K
Kavya N
The hypocrisy is astounding! US buys oil from Saudi Arabia which has terrible human rights record, but has problem with India buying from Russia? Double standards much? 🤨
S
Sarah B
As an American living in Mumbai, I find this whole situation embarrassing. India has every right to make independent trade decisions. The tariff war helps nobody - hope cooler heads prevail soon.
V
Vikram M
Tharoor always has the perfect English words to describe situations! But beyond the vocabulary, he's making an important point about sovereignty. We can't let foreign powers dictate our energy security needs.
A
Ananya R
This is why we need to reduce dependence on oil imports altogether. Invest more in renewable energy and electric vehicles. Then no country can hold us to ransom over energy policies!

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