Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday dismissed former US President Donald Trump's harsh remarks calling India a "dead economy." Trump's comment came after he announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing India's high import duties, oil and arms trade with Russia, and what he claimed were unfair trade practices toward the United States.

Speaking on Thursday, Trump said:

“I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.”

When asked about the remark, Tharoor responded sharply:

“Absolutely not. Everyone knows it,” firmly rejecting Trump’s characterization of the Indian economy.

Tharoor had earlier called the new tariff announcement a “serious matter,” warning that when combined with additional penalties, the total duty could rise to 35–45%.

“There’s even talk of a 100% penalty, which would destroy our trade with America. The ongoing trade negotiations might reduce it, but if not, it will severely hurt our exports. The US is a major market for us,” he told ANI.

Trump’s comments come just days before his August 1 deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs on countries with high import duties targeting US goods.

He accused India of being "Russia’s largest buyer of energy, along with China," and claimed that India’s tariffs are "among the highest in the world."

“All things not good! India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25%, plus a penalty for the above, starting on August first,” Trump posted on his platform, Truth Social.

Soon after, he doubled down, attacking India again over its ties with Russia and saying the two nations could “take their dead economies down together.”

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a completely different stance. In a surprising agreement with Trump, Gandhi said:

“Yes, he is right. Everybody knows this—except the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. I’m glad that President Trump has stated a fact… The entire world knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy.”

The remarks have sparked fresh political debate at home, even as concerns grow about the impact of escalating trade tensions with the US.