'No impact on India-US ties': Tharoor says Trump retains power on tariffs, Iran war

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday said the results of the US midterm elections would have little impact on India-US relations, asserting that President Donald Trump retains considerable powers to pursue his foreign policy agenda despite the ruling party's electoral setback. Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor said the US election results would not change Washington's approach towards key issues such as tariffs, sanctions on countries buying Russian oil, the Iran war or the Ukraine conflict. "Whether it comes to tariffs, whether it comes to sanctions for buying Russian oil, whether it comes to the Iran war itself, whether it comes to any initiative he takes on the Ukraine war. All of this, he's completely unaffected by the election result," Tharoor said.

He explained that while Congress has significant powers over budgetary matters and can restrict or approve government spending, the President enjoys considerable discretion in foreign policy and international affairs. Tharoor said that even when it comes to military action, the President can proceed without seeking approval for an initial period of up to 60 days. However, Congress can exercise its financial powers to restrict expenditure, particularly in the case of an expensive military campaign. "Those in India who are expecting this to have some impact on our relationship with the US, I think, are completely mistaken," he said. Commenting on the election outcome, Tharoor described it as an extraordinary setback for the ruling party, pointing out that midterm elections traditionally serve as a course correction for the party in power. He also highlighted the gains made by candidates from minority communities and people of Indian origin, including the election of a mayor of Indian origin in Los Angeles. Tharoor said the results reflected the vibrancy of American democracy but maintained that the outcome would not significantly alter Trump's ability to take decisions on international affairs.