Congress MP and noted author Shashi Tharoor welcomed the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, stating that key concerns had been addressed, particularly in defence and trade. Speaking at the Global Investors' Meet in Bengaluru, Tharoor emphasized the significance of the US commitment to selling India F-35 stealth fighter jets.

"This is a state-of-the-art aircraft. With Rafales already in our fleet, adding F-35s will significantly strengthen the Indian Air Force," he stated.

Tharoor also praised the decision to engage in structured trade negotiations instead of hasty tariff decisions. He noted that discussions on illegal immigration were mostly positive but stressed the need for better treatment of deported Indian migrants.

One of the most striking moments was Trump's remark that Modi is a "better negotiator" than him. Tharoor found this particularly noteworthy, given Trump's reputation for deal-making. "This is high praise from a man who rarely acknowledges others' skills," he remarked.

Looking ahead, Tharoor expects further clarity on the meeting's outcomes once Modi and his team return. While lauding the progress made, he emphasized the need for continued diplomatic engagement to ensure India's interests are fully safeguarded in trade, defence, and immigration policies.