Congress MP and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, said on Monday that the United States could lift the additional 25% tariff imposed on India over its purchase of Russian oil if the conflict between Russia and Ukraine comes to an end.
Tharoor’s statement comes just days after US President Donald Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on India, raising the cumulative levy to 50%.
Speaking to ANI, Tharoor linked the removal of this second set of tariffs to the war’s resolution.
"If after the meeting with Putin, there is a meeting with Ukraine, then the second 25% tariff imposed on us due to buying Russian oil will be removed, because it was in the context of the war (between Russia and Ukraine)," he said.
His remarks precede a scheduled meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, which has raised hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough.
Tharoor revealed that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had briefed the parliamentary panel earlier in the day on the current state of relations with the US. Misri underlined the importance of India’s ties with Washington, pointing out that trade was just one facet of the bilateral relationship.
Meanwhile, commenting on recent remarks by Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, Tharoor dismissed what he described as nuclear “blackmail.”
"We are not going to surrender to nuclear blackmail. This gentleman has a habit of saying things to the Pakistan diaspora that are apparently intended to boost his position. India knows how to handle these things in the air and on the ground. I am not too worried," Tharoor said.
Senior government officials have also indicated that India remains optimistic about continuing trade pact negotiations with the US despite the current tariff tensions.