Shashi Tharoor Cites Trump’s ‘Mercurial’ Nature Amid Diplomatic Storm

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s sharp attacks on India at the UN General Assembly, veteran diplomat and opposition leader Shashi Tharoor has pointed to the US leader’s “mercurial” nature as a key factor in the diplomatic storm. Tharoor’s analysis suggests that while the current situation is negative, it could change just as quickly.
Trump’s speech was a significant blow to US-India relations. He accused India of funding the Ukraine war through its oil purchases and repeated a disputed claim about his role in preventing an India-Pakistan conflict. These public criticisms came despite a recent warming of ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This unpredictability is what Tharoor highlights. He theorized, “If he could be unpredictable in a negative direction for us earlier this year, he might turn out to be unpredictably positive to us in the months and years ahead.” This perspective offers a sliver of hope, suggesting that Trump’s policies are not set in stone but are subject to his shifting moods and priorities.
The “mercurial” nature of the President has been a consistent challenge for the Modi government. It has to contend with a leader who imposes punitive H-1B visa fees and crippling tariffs one week, only to praise Modi as a “great friend” the next. This makes long-term strategic planning incredibly difficult.
While Tharoor’s long-term view provides some perspective, the immediate reality is one of damage control. The Indian government must now navigate the fallout from being publicly condemned on the world stage, a situation that tests the limits of its non-confrontational approach and underscores the inherent instability in its relationship with the Trump administration.