Has India sacrificed strategic autonomy for US trade deal? asks Tewari

Congress' Manish Tewari questioned if India sacrificed strategic autonomy for a trade deal with Washington. He cited Donald Trump's claims of India halting Russian oil buys and an imbalanced tariff structure benefiting the US.

Manish Tewari Questions Trade Deal

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Tuesday questioned whether New Delhi has sacrificed its strategic autonomy to seal the trade deal with Washington, which would require India to divert its oil purchases from Russia to the US and "potentially" to Venezuela. He also questioned the tariff imbalance in the trade deal where India will levy "no tariffs" on US imports, whereas Washington will charge a "reduced" reciprocal tariff of 18 per cent on New Delhi's exports, as per the details shared by US President Donald Trump on X. US has reduced tariffs from 25 per cent to 18 per cent.

"No purchase of oil from Russia. No tariffs on American imports. American tariffs on Indian exports 18%. India will buy USD 500 billion worth of energy, technology, agriculture & coal. What the hell happened to India's strategic autonomy?" Manish Tewari said in a post on X. Complete details of the trade deal are yet to be announced.

Trump Announces Trade Deal on X

This comes after US President Donald Trump, after a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced an India-US trade deal. The US President also claimed that PM Modi had agreed to "stop buying Russian oil" and to buy much more from the US. He further noted that India would reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers to zero against the US.

"It was an Honor to speak with Prime Minister Modi, of India, this morning. He is one of my greatest friends and, a Powerful and Respected Leader of his Country. We spoke about many things, including Trade, and ending the War with Russia and Ukraine. He agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela. This will help END THE WAR in Ukraine, which is taking place right now, with thousands of people dying each and every week! Out of friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi and, as per his request, effective immediately, we agreed to a Trade Deal between the United States and India, whereby the United States will charge a reduced Reciprocal Tariff, lowering it from 25% to 18%. They will likewise move forward to reduce their Tariffs and Non Tariff Barriers against the United States, to ZERO," Trump's post read.

PM Modi Responds

Following Trump's post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on X, said it was wonderful to speak with his "dear friend President Trump" and expressed delight that "Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%".

White House Confirms Terms

Meanwhile, a White House official confirmed to ANI that Washington will also drop the additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports imposed due to New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil, noting that India has to "cease, not just reduce, Russian oil purchases."

When asked by ANI whether the tariffs on Indian imports would be lifted in exchange for reducing Russian oil purchases, the official said, "Yes, although the agreement is that India will cease, not just reduce, Russian oil purchases." (ANI)

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