India, Aug. 11 -- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday stressed the enduring importance of the Indo-US relationship, saying recent trade concerns will not derail the broader strategic partnership. His remarks come just days after US President Donald Trump slapped 50% tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil.

Briefing reporters after a parliamentary committee meeting with senior officials, Tharoor said the Commerce Secretary had assured members that "the process of dialogue is ongoing" and that the committee was "fairly satisfied" with the government's responses.

"We are not going to allow this kind of nonsense to influence our thinking," he said, rejecting any notion that "nuclear blackmail" could sway India's position. "No party, no ...