F-35 Deal “Very Valued”: Shashi Tharoor Hails Modi-Trump Meeting

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th Feb. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday expressed optimism over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with former US President Donald Trump, stating that key concerns appeared to have been addressed. He specifically welcomed the US commitment to selling F-35 stealth fighter jets to India, calling it a “very valued” development.

Speaking at the Global Investors’ Meet (GIM) in Bengaluru, Tharoor highlighted the significance of the deal, saying, “On the defence front, the commitment to sell us F-35 stealth aircraft is very valued. That’s the state-of-the-art aircraft, and with the Rafale jets already in service, the Indian Air Force will be in very good shape.”

Tharoor also noted that the joint press statements by Modi and Trump were encouraging, particularly regarding trade negotiations and illegal immigration. He pointed out that both nations had agreed to hold serious trade talks, expected to conclude by September-October, preventing any abrupt policy changes from affecting Indian exports.

On the issue of illegal immigration, Tharoor agreed with Modi’s stance that misled youths who migrated illegally should be taken back as Indian citizens. However, he expressed concerns about their treatment during deportation, urging for more humane procedures.

“I hope something was said behind closed doors regarding the manner in which deportations were conducted—handcuffs, mistreatment, insults, and the use of military aircraft should be avoided in the future. If the Prime Minister raised this issue privately, I believe the Americans would listen,” he remarked.

Tharoor also reacted to Trump’s surprising praise for Modi’s negotiation skills. “Trump calling Prime Minister Modi a better negotiator than himself is astonishing. Trump prides himself on being the master of deal-making, and even his own Defence Secretary called him the world’s greatest negotiator. For him to say this about Modi is a high degree of praise,” he said.

Tharoor concluded by stating that he looked forward to a detailed briefing from the Ministry of External Affairs upon the Prime Minister’s return, anticipating further insights into the discussions between India and the US.