Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 6: India has strongly condemned the United States’ latest move to impose additional tariffs on Indian imports, calling the action “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” The response came after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order slapping a 25% tariff on goods imported from India, citing its continued purchase of Russian oil as the trigger.
A spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the government views the US decision as deeply regrettable and detrimental to bilateral economic ties. “We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable. India will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests,” the spokesperson said in an official statement.
The US administration has been increasingly vocal about its disapproval of India’s oil imports from Russia, despite global sanctions against Moscow following its actions in Ukraine. Trump’s executive order claims that such trade undermines US foreign policy and national security objectives.
However, India has consistently maintained that its energy imports are guided by economic and strategic considerations, particularly to ensure the energy security of its 1.4 billion citizens. “Our oil imports are based on market dynamics and aimed at safeguarding national energy requirements,” the MEA stressed.
The Indian government also pointed out the inconsistency in the US action, noting that many other countries continue to trade with Russia in pursuit of their own national interests. “It is extremely unfortunate that the US has singled out India, while similar actions by others go unchecked,” the MEA said.
The new US tariffs are set to take effect 21 days from the signing of the order and will apply to a wide range of Indian goods entering the US market. However, shipments already in transit before the deadline and cleared by September 17 will be exempt.
This latest development threatens to strain Indo-US trade ties, with India now evaluating possible countermeasures to defend its economic sovereignty.