Bengaluru: Expressing satisfaction regarding the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, Congress MP and author Shashi Tharoor remarked on Friday that significant concerns appear to have been addressed.
He emphasized the importance of the commitment to sell F35 stealth aircraft to India, stating, “This is a highly valued development.”
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru during the Global Investors’ Meet (GIM), Tharoor commented, “In terms of defense, the commitment to provide us with F35 stealth aircraft is particularly significant. This state-of-the-art aircraft, alongside the Rafael, will greatly enhance the capabilities of the Indian Air Force.”
Tharoor expressed optimism about the key issues discussed, saying, “I am quite encouraged by what we have heard so far, and I look forward to receiving more detailed information once the Prime Minister and his team return. I anticipate a briefing from the Ministry of External Affairs in the standing committee.”
He further added, “The statements made by Prime Minister Modi and President Trump are promising. It appears that some of our major concerns have been addressed, particularly regarding trade and tariffs. They have agreed to engage in serious negotiations, which are expected to conclude by the fall, specifically in September and October of this year. This is a positive outcome, as there was concern that hasty decisions from Washington could negatively impact our exports.”
Tharoor also commented on the issue of illegal immigration, noting, “The only aspect missing from Prime Minister Modi’s remarks was the treatment of those individuals being sent back.”
“Otherwise, his position was entirely appropriate. These are misguided youths who have been led to migrate illegally, and they should be repatriated. They are Indian citizens and rightfully belong in our country,” he concluded.
