What Did Shashi Tharoor Say About Trump Tariffs, And How Does It Affect The Relationship Between India And China?

The participation of India and several other Global South Nations reflects that the Global South has been moving closer to each other.  Moreover, the 25th SCO summit showed some of the most unique colors of Geopolitics.  

However, it cannot be denied that the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump have created numerous challenges for various nations across the globe. Hence, it seems that the Global South has decided to get together and create a more multipolar world while changing the power dynamics.    

Moreover, the SCO Summit in Tianjin stands out as an example where the Global South can be seen accumulating against hegemonism. Hence, the world witnessed some of the most unique developments among countries that conventionally have not had great relations. 

Moreover, the world was stunned by the rare partnership between China and India, as the nations came together while forgetting about their differences.  

However, amid the recent events, Arabiya English Hosted Dr. Sashi Tharoor. Moreover, the interview by Tom Burges Watson aimed at understanding Dr. Tharoor’s Opinion on India and US ties. 

Hence, Arabiya English covered the opinions of Shashi Tharoor on Trump Tariffs. 

What Was Discussed In The Interview Between Dr. Tharoor And Tom Burges Watson?

The Lok Sabha MP Dr Tharoor discussed various topics on Arabiya English. Moreover, the Summary of the discussions is as follows. 

1. What Is The Message Behind PM Modi holding Hands With President Putin at Tianjin?

The host then discussed a famous clip of Prime Minister Modi and President Putin holding hands. Both leaders could be seen discussing a very “special relationship”.  

The host asked Dr. Tharoor what we draw from this. Moreover, what message was the Prime Minister of India trying to send to the rest of the world? 

Dr. Tharoor informed the viewers that this was the first visit of PM Modi to China in the last seven years. Therefore, Dr.Tharoor suggested that it was a sort of “message” altogether.  

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, on Trump Tariffs, pointed out that there was a deep freeze in the relationship between India and China during May-early Jun 2020. 

Tharoor elaborated about the freeze while emphasizing the unprovoked confrontation between India and China along the ‘Undefined borders” of the two nations, which is known as the LAC. 

Moreover, the confrontation claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers. Dr Tharoor then talked about the implications of the confrontation.   

The list of implications includes banning of TikTok in India, cancellation of flights, and, most importantly, cancellation of the Chinese investments in the Indian companies. 
 
 Hence, Shashi Tharoor on Trump Tariffs suggests that Trump Tariffs resulted in such developments between India and China. 

2. What Were The Efforts To  Bring Normalcy To The Relations Between India And China? What Was The Setback?

India and China had set a number of things to initiate efforts to bring relations back to normalcy. Dr.Tharoor pointed out that there were meetings at the levels of foreign ministers and others. 

However, China weighed in towards Pakistan during the last India-Pakistan conflict after the Pahelgam attack. 

Hence, Dr Tharoor suggested that this was the leading reason behind the efforts for diplomacy going in vain. 

3. What Led To The Recent Developments?

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, on Trump Tariffs and recent developments, believes that the tariffs imposed by Trump are one of the major reasons behind India’s extensive participation in the SCO. Moreover, Tharoor believes, the tariffs impacted India in various ways. 

Moreover, many factories in India had to lay off workers as the orders got cancelled. The 50% tariffs compelled India to explore new avenues of growth and trade. 

According to Dr Tharoor, the SCO summit in the city of Tianjin presented India with an opportunity to explore other partnerships. 

4. Shashi Tharoor On India And Russia Relationship 

Dr Tharoor calls the India-Russia relationship one of the most steady relationships. However, the MP stated that there have been slight possessive and negative developments in recent years. Moreover, Indo-Russian relations have been completely steady. 

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, on Trump Tariffs and India-Russia relations, says the estrangement or the “ups and downs” in the relationship have moreover arisen after the Ukraine-Russia war. 

The former EAM suggests that Russia could be seen as getting dependent on China, while India was getting closer to the USA. 

However, Tharoor suggests that the circumstances have now been revised and the relations are now again strengthening. 

According to Sashi, “India is retaining its relationships with the old friends and making new friends.” 

Tharoor defines this as a “bullwark against all the uncertainties the Trump tempest has unleashed on India.” 

5. Is India Partially Getting Closer To Russia And China?

Tom Burges Watson, the host of the show, mentioned that the talks between India and China were pulling them closer together. Moreover, the host then provided an accompanying question, asking if Dr. Tharoor thought it was partially what was happening. 

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, on Trump Tariffs and India-China relations, replied to this while reminding us of what he had said earlier. The MP talked about the previous thaw that he had mentioned.  

He mentioned that the previous efforts to establish diplomatic ties had gone south after China provided military and diplomatic help to Pakistan.  

Dr. Tharoor also mentions that without the actions of Donald Trump, the countries should have had a slightly “distant approach.” 
 
He means that had Donald Trump not imposed such massive tariffs on India, India’s participation in the SCO would have been a lot different. 

Moreover, Dr. Tharoor believes that this is a time when “India understands that it requires other countries like China.”  

He also mentions that China believes that “ it is not really a terrible time to talk with Countries like India.” 

Dr. Tharoor uses the cricket analogy while saying both sides are on their “back foot.” Hence, this creates opportunities for both of them to talk. 

6. How Are India And China Relations Improving?

Dr. Tharoor mentioned that the direct flights between India and China have resumed. Moreover, he also noted that pilgrims from India have been visiting Buddhist and Hindu sites in Chinese-occupied Tibet. 

He mentions that the Vizza restrictions were also easing, and hence, both nations are exchanging a massive amount of high-level exchanges. 

Tharoor calls this a shared intent to “move beyond the recriminations of the past.”. 

7. Why Has Trump Not Been Able To Impose Tariffs On Other Countries Like China?

Shashi Tharoor on Trump Tariffs pointed out that the European Union and China purchase a lot more oil from Russia than India. However, the Americans can not dare to impose taxes on China as they know that it will hurt their economy in various ways.

Read Also: Is Israel’s Strike On Qatar “Embarrassing” For Donald Trump?

Why Hasn’t Donald Trump Sanctioned The Pharmaceutical Sector In India? Which Sectors Have Been Tariffed By The USA?

However, Shashi Tharoor, on Trump Tariffs, made a specific exception, which is the pharmaceutical sector of India. Shashi Tharoor on India-US ties stated that India is the largest producer of pharmaceuticals.  

Hence, the USA has not sanctioned India in this sector, unlike other Industries.  Moreover, Shashi Tharoor, on Trump Tariffs, also mentions the electronics sector. More than 60% of the iPhone production happens in India, and hence India has not been taxed over there. 

Apart from that, Thearoor mentioned all other sectors, which include textile, garments, and leather, among others, that were taxed. 

What Is The Bigjar Take On This?

Tom Burges Watson and Tharoor talked about many other things. Hence, people should watch the entire interview to gain a deeper understanding. 

Moreover, India lacks a deterrent or a deterrent factor that is supposed to balance the power dynamics between India and the USA. 

Hence, America often imposes one-sided tariffs on India. However, India’s expertise in sectors like pharmaceuticals serves India in several ways.   

India has grown into a massive powerhouse in sectors like pharmaceuticals and others. Hence, Shashi Tharoor on Trump Tariffs points out that India has not been tariffed in the sectors where India stands strong. 

Moreover, Trump has avoided imposing tariffs on Indian products that would harm the US. Hence, India should also focus on developing other sectors. Moreover, this will prevent India from facing future consequences. 

China’s relations with India have improved on various levels. However, the relation between India and China is moreover volatile, and even the slightest negative developments can lead to tensions. 

Moreover, India and China have been unable to resolve their long-standing border disputes, which has led experts like Dr. Tharoor to express doubts about India-China relations. However, India’s relationship with Russia has been time-tested and shall remain the same even in the future. 

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