Rahul Gandhi Questions Government on U.S. Tariffs Impacting Indian Economy
During a recent session in the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi raised serious concerns about the United States’ decision to impose reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports. He warned that the move could severely impact India’s key sectors, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, which are highly dependent on global market access.
Gandhi accused the government of failing to foresee or diplomatically counter this trade setback. He also linked the issue to what he described as a broader pattern of foreign policy failures, citing the situation with China and the perceived concessions made in territorial disputes. According to him, the current leadership has been caught off guard on both strategic and economic fronts.
“What are you going to do about US tariffs?” he asked pointedly, questioning the Centre’s plan to shield India’s economy from the fallout of this trade escalation.
Government’s Response and Diplomatic Reassurances
In response, the government maintained that it is fully aware of the implications and is engaging diplomatically to address the matter. Officials assured the House that discussions with U.S. trade representatives are already underway, aimed at resolving tariff-related concerns through dialogue and negotiation.
The Centre emphasized that protecting India’s economic sovereignty remains a top priority. It also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Indian industries are not disadvantaged by abrupt policy shifts from international partners. The government framed the U.S. tariffs as a temporary hurdle and reiterated its intention to diversify trade relationships to reduce over-dependence on any single country.
Implications for India’s Global Trade Strategy
The U.S. tariffs come at a time when global trade is under strain from shifting alliances and protectionist trends. For India, this development highlights the urgent need to strengthen its trade resilience and sharpen its diplomatic tools.
With exports forming a significant pillar of India’s economy, any prolonged impact from these tariffs could pose serious challenges. How the government navigates this situation may set the tone for India’s future economic engagements with major global powers. The emphasis now rests on swift diplomatic action, trade recalibration, and policy transparency to reassure domestic industries and the global market.
