'Got Everything Expected': Shashi Tharoor Calls Modi-Trump Bilateral Meeting ‘Encouraging'

The Congress leader also praised the F-35 deal announced during PM Modi's visit to the US after Trump confirmed to sell the advanced stealth fighter jets to the Indian Air Force.

File photo of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

Source : PTI

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday, described the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high stakes with US President Donald Trump as “encouraging, highlighting that several major concerns have been addressed.

On a two-day visit to the US, PM Modi held a meeting with Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, discussing, trade, defence, and immigration, soon after Trump imposed sweeping reciprocal tariffs.

According to a report by India Today, Tharoor noted that the talks yielded positive developments for the US-India strategic partnership, including the extradition of the 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Rana and an offer of F-35 fighter jets to India.

Tharoor Back PM Modi’s Stance Over Illegal Immigration

Acknowledging the meeting as promising and highlighting the shadow of tariffs over the talks, Tharoor stated that it was a positive sign that both the nations had agreed to engage in negotiations and this will likely conclude by autumn this year. “I think that’s a very good outcome because otherwise, the fear was there might be some hasty decisions made in Washington which would have affected our exports”. “This way, there is time to discuss and negotiate, "he said.

Tharoor backed PM Modi’s stance over illegal immigration, however, he made his assertion that undocumented Indian migrants deported from the US should have been treated well and their problem could have been addressed. His statements indicated about the deportees who were flown back in handcuffs and leg restraints.

“Anybody who enters another country illegally, they have absolutely no right to be in that country,” PM Modi said. “The only thing missing was the manner in which they were sent back. Otherwise, his stand was absolutely correct.”

Supporting the remarks made by PM Modi against illegal immigration, Tharoor said, “These are misled youth who have been encouraged and induced to migrate illegally. They should be taken back if they’re Indian citizens.” He added, “But I hope something was said behind closed doors—that mistreatment and abuse should be avoided in the future.”

The Congress leader also praised the F-35 deal announced during the visit, as Trump confirmed his administration’s willingness to sell the advanced stealth fighter jets to the Indian Air Force. He also pledged to expand military sales to India by billions of dollars.  

Speaking at a joint press conference after his meeting with Trump, PM Modi stated that both New Delhi and Washington shared common ground on the issue of illegal immigration and reiterated India's willingness to accept deported Indian nationals.  

Tharoor emphasised the strategic importance of the F-35 commitment, calling it a valuable addition to India's defense capabilities. “The F-35 is a state-of-the-art aircraft, and with the Rafale jets already in our fleet, the Indian Air Force will be in a strong position,” he said.  

Reflecting on the overall outcome of the bilateral talks, Tharoor remarked, “We have got all that we could have expected, except for an assurance in the way the migrants were sent back.”