Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday replied sharply to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's comments that India has been "a bit recalcitrant" during trade talks with the United States.
Taking to X, Tharoor posted, "I hear some people accusing India of being 'recalcitrant'. I say, far better to be recalcitrant than to be tractable, submissive or acquiescent in injustice."
Bessent made the remark when he was interviewed by Fox Business on Tuesday, when he was questioned about finalizing all outstanding tariffs and trade deals by the end of October. "But I think we are in a good place. The large trade deals that aren't agreed or aren't done—Switzerland is still hanging around, India has been a bit obstreperous," he stated.
The US Treasury Secretary admitted that the deadline was "aspirational" but pointed out that US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer-led teams were working round the clock to complete deals and significant terms had been reached with all but a few of the largest trading partners.
On Wednesday, Bessent, during a Bloomberg TV interview, pointed out the application of secondary tariffs to India for its ongoing purchase of Russian oil. "We've imposed secondary tariffs on Indians for purchasing Russian oil. And I could see, if things don't go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up," he said.
Last week, President Donald Trump placed higher tariffs on Indian goods, accusing New Delhi of continuing to import Russian oil, a new front in his trade wars.
New Delhi, in response, called the additional tariffs "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," stating that it would "take all actions necessary to protect national interests."
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