In a notable deviation from his party’s stance, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic efforts during his recent visit to the United States. This commendation comes in the wake of internal party criticisms, notably from former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who has been vocal about Modi’s associations with businessman Gautam Adani.
During a press interaction, Prime Minister Modi was questioned about his ties with Adani, to which he responded that discussions between heads of state do not pertain to private individuals. Rahul Gandhi retorted, suggesting that Modi evades questions domestically and internationally, accusing him of concealing alleged corruption linked to Adani.
Contrastingly, Tharoor, who chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, expressed approval of the outcomes from Modi’s U.S. visit. He highlighted U.S. President Donald Trump’s acknowledgment of Modi’s negotiation skills, noting that Trump referred to Modi as a superior negotiator, a significant compliment from a leader known for his own deal-making prowess.
Tharoor emphasized that critical issues, particularly in trade and defense, were addressed during the visit. He pointed out the agreement to engage in detailed trade negotiations by the end of the year, aiming to prevent hasty decisions that could adversely affect India’s exports. Additionally, Tharoor welcomed the U.S. commitment to supply F-35 fighter jets to India, viewing it as a valuable enhancement to the Indian Air Force’s capabilities.
Renewed Push For India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor 