Tharoor Slams US Tariffs, Calls Out Double Standards on Russian Oil

By A Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 6 — In a sharp response to US President Donald Trump's decision to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods over Russian oil imports, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has accused the United States of practicing double standards and warned of possible reciprocal action from India.

Speaking on the issue, Tharoor pointed out the disparity in how different countries are being treated. “Uranium, Palladium — there are various things they (the US) are importing from Russia. There is, unfortunately, a certain double standard involved,” he said. Highlighting China's position, he added, “They have given the Chinese a 90-day break, but the Chinese are importing far more Russian oil than we are.”

Tharoor expressed disappointment over the perceived shift in US-India relations, remarking, “Clearly, this has not been a particularly friendly gesture from a country we thought was well disposed towards us.” He noted that India must now “act accordingly” and “learn our lessons” from this diplomatic development.

He also hinted at India’s potential countermeasures. “There is certainly a likelihood that there will be some pressure within India now to impose comparable reciprocal tariffs on American exports,” Tharoor said. He urged a strategic reevaluation of India’s trade partnerships in the current climate, adding, “We’re going to have to really start looking at other trading partners much more.”