P. Chidambaram quotes

P. Chidambaram is an Indian politician, lawyer, and economist known for his influential role in the Indian government. As a senior member of the Indian National Congress, he served as Finance Minister and Home Minister during crucial periods. He is recognized for implementing significant economic reforms and shaping India’s financial policies. Here are 29 of his quotes:

Independence is a very subjective assessment.

P. Chidambaram

Criticism of a policy is welcome. But in the garb of criticizing a policy, if you allege that the policy was made for corrupt purposes, I reject it.

P. Chidambaram

It is possible that, post-Kyoto, the developed countries will recognise the requirements of the developing world.

P. Chidambaram

If you go back to any period in India's history, all the hard decisions this country had to take were taken when the Congress was in power.

P. Chidambaram

It is shocking, It is quite obvious that security of the Sri Lankan players has been hopelessly inadequate. We condemn the shooting and we hope that players like Samaraweera and Mendis are safe and will recover.

P. Chidambaram

This is complete rubbish. They did this a month and a half ago when there was another incident. We want peace in South Asia. We want no terror in South Asia. We don't export terror. We have zero tolerance for terror whether it is within India or outside India. Pakistan is only taking half measures in the fight against terrorism. Pakistan is paying the price for not heeding our advice.

P. Chidambaram

It (Pakistan) is not a failed state, but it is threatening to become one. A great concern is weighing on our minds. In Pakistan, with regret, I would say we don't know who is in control there. Whether it is the army or the president or the government.

P. Chidambaram

It is the vaccine or vaccines that will win the war against COVID-19, not the government or mythological beliefs.

P. Chidambaram

People are wiser than we are willing to attribute to them.

P. Chidambaram

I don't think we should label budgets even before the budget is presented.

P. Chidambaram

I have maintained that the people of India are ahead of their governments. The people of India are at least 10 to 15 years ahead of their governments.

P. Chidambaram

Two successive commissioners in London police were fired by the mayor that came into office. That doesn't mean the police in London is not independent and does not exercise powers. Ultimately it is the political executive that has to answer.

P. Chidambaram

I think people respect governments that take decisions and act decisively.

P. Chidambaram

'Big business' was a bad phrase in India. To be accused of being big business was the worst accusation you could make. All that has gone now. The whole mindset has changed.

P. Chidambaram

Growth is a panacea for many ills in society; not entirely, but many.

P. Chidambaram

A government can do only what is feasible given the political and economic context.

P. Chidambaram

Evidence points out that if you raise tariffs too much it will increase smuggling.

P. Chidambaram

The police force cannot be completely independent of the executive government.

P. Chidambaram

I respect the view of a rating agency, but I do not make a budget for the rating agency. I make a budget for the people of India.

P. Chidambaram

We cannot afford to leave the poor behind.

P. Chidambaram

When I came back to India after Harvard Business School, I started as a lawyer and as a trade union leader.

P. Chidambaram

In income tax, there is no case for amnesty.

P. Chidambaram