New Delhi [India], August 12 (ANI): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shared insights from the Committee of External Affairs meeting, where several issues, including India-US ties and the importance of the bilateral relationship, were discussed during a three-hour session on Monday.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Tharoor expressed satisfaction that the Foreign and Commerce Secretaries had answered around 50 questions from the 22 members.
“We asked around 50 questions, reflecting the nation’s interest in knowing more about developments involving tariffs, negotiations with the US, and other geopolitical implications — all of these were covered,” Tharoor said.
He noted that the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed the importance of the Indo-US relationship despite the current challenges, while the Commerce Secretary assured that the dialogue process is ongoing. “I feel the committee left fairly satisfied that many of the issues on people’s minds are being addressed by our senior colleagues in government, and we have received credible responses,” Tharoor stated.
The Foreign Secretary focused on geopolitical and strategic considerations, emphasizing that the India-US relationship operates on multiple levels, with trade being only one aspect. The Commerce Secretary’s remarks centered entirely on trade discussions.
Regarding the upcoming India-US trade talks slated for later in August, Tharoor said, “As of now there is no change in the existing plans for a sixth round. If the American delegation is not coming, they will have to tell us. So far there is no such indication.”
Tharoor also addressed remarks made by Pakistan’s Army Chief during a visit to the US. “Munir’s statement on American soil was brought up. Concern was expressed about the misuse of a friendly country’s soil to make such remarks about us. But the fact that nuclear sabre-rattling is something the Pakistanis like to do has been dismissed by the MEA in a statement. We will echo that statement. Nuclear blackmail will not work with India, and no party disagrees with that principle,” he said.
His comments came after Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, reportedly said in Florida that Pakistan could use nuclear weapons against India and “half the world” in the event of an existential threat.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong response on Monday, with its spokesperson stating, “Nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan’s stock-in-trade. The international community can draw its own conclusions on the irresponsibility inherent in such remarks, which also reinforce well-held doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups.”
The spokesperson further expressed regret that these remarks were made from the soil of a friendly third country and reaffirmed that India will not give in to nuclear blackmail, vowing to take all necessary steps to safeguard national security.
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