25.08.202501:52:40UTC+00India Stands Firm on Trade Redlines Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure

India is currently engaged in ongoing trade discussions with Washington, but has made its non-negotiable points clear, according to Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Saturday. This move underscores India's commitment to safeguard its farmers and small producers. His statement comes just as the United States plans to implement additional tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods, marking one of the heftiest tariffs imposed by Washington as a consequence of India’s increased imports of Russian oil. Already, a 25% tariff is in place with an additional 25% scheduled for August 27. Prospects of a tariff reprieve dimmed after U.S. negotiators canceled an expected visit to New Delhi from August 25 to 29. Earlier this year, negotiations faltered after India declined to liberalize its agricultural and dairy sectors. Trade between the world's largest and fifth-largest economies exceeds $190 billion. Defending India's stance, Jaishankar asserted, “It is our right to make decisions in our national interest,” while highlighting that similar U.S. pressures haven't been applied to other significant importers of Russian oil, such as China and the EU.