Congress MP and former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on Indian goods, warning that they are severely hurting the Indian economy and costing thousands of jobs.

Speaking at a conference in Singapore on Friday, Tharoor said the 50% tariff imposed by the US — including a 25% penalty for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil — has made several Indian exports uncompetitive in the American market.

“Already, people are losing jobs. In Surat alone, 1.35 lakh workers in the gems and jewellery industry have been laid off. The seafood and manufacturing sectors are also suffering heavy losses,” he said.

Tharoor warned against underestimating the economic fallout. “This is not something we can simply shrug off,” he said, calling the tariff hike both punitive and unfair. “We are finding it increasingly difficult to access the US market. The additional 25% is not just a tariff, it’s a sanction — and China, which is buying even more oil from Russia, hasn’t been penalised the same way.”

The Congress leader urged India to diversify its export destinations and reduce reliance on the US. He also advocated for deeper economic ties with Europe, China, and Russia, and called India’s recent trade deal with the UK a “step in the right direction.”

Tharoor didn’t mince words when speaking about US President Donald Trump. Calling him “an unusual president by every yardstick,” he criticised Trump’s disregard for diplomatic norms and erratic public statements.

“Have you ever heard a world leader claim they deserve a Nobel Peace Prize? Or say that ‘all countries want to come and kiss my ass’? This is not language you expect from the head of any government,” Tharoor said.

He urged global observers not to judge India-US relations based solely on Trump’s conduct. “We can’t let our bilateral relationship be defined by one man’s mood swings,” he said.

Tharoor added that the tariffs have already caused “very serious damage” to Indian exports and that the country must brace itself for a long-term economic adjustment. “We have no choice but to tighten our belts and move forward.”

Emphasising the need for a multi-polar global strategy, Tharoor said India should work toward forming an “Indo-European pole” to strengthen its global standing. He suggested expanding trade and political partnerships across Europe, and continuing efforts to stabilise relations with both China and Russia.

“We’ve shown intent to reduce tensions with China despite recent clashes. Our relationship with Russia has always been steady, and may even improve in this climate,” he said.

Tharoor’s remarks come even as signs of easing tensions between India and the US begin to emerge. President Trump recently said he would “always be friends” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi — a message PM Modi said he “fully reciprocated.”

Earlier this week, Trump indicated that his administration is still open to resolving trade issues with India. He said he looked forward to speaking with PM Modi “in the coming weeks.”

Sergio Gor, Trump’s nominee for the next US ambassador to India, echoed a similar sentiment during his Senate confirmation hearing, stating that India and the US are “not that far apart” on striking a tariff deal. “Getting India to stop buying Russian oil remains a top priority,” Gor added.

As the two countries navigate one of their most complex economic stand-offs in recent years, Tharoor’s warning serves as a reminder that diplomacy — and the livelihoods it affects — hangs in the balance.