Amid US-India Tariff Tensions, Congress Urges Calm Negotiations

In a notable development, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram urged the government to remain composed and proceed with negotiations amid the turmoil surrounding the US's 25% tariffs on India. Chidambaram described President Trump as an unconventional figure, cautioning that typical diplomatic norms fall short in dealing with him.

During an interaction with ANI, Chidambaram stated, 'Trump is not a conventional politician, and traditional diplomatic approaches don't apply to him. We should maintain our cool and continue negotiations, aiming for an understanding with the US.' Concurrently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi challenged PM Modi over Trump's allegations, including claims of mediating India-Pakistan disputes and the recent tariff imposition.

President Trump, addressing the matter, remarked on India's high tariff rates, emphasizing their role in ongoing trade discussions. He stated, 'We're engaging with them, and we'll see what unfolds. India has historically been among the highest in terms of tariff percentages.' Trump's remarks came during a White House press conference linked to a Congressional bill signing, shortly after his 25% tariff announcement and additional penalties tied to Russian oil imports.

(With inputs from agencies.)