India has strongly denounced the latest round of tariffs imposed by the United States, describing the additional 25% levy on its imports as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” This escalation marks a significant deepening of trade tensions between two of the world’s largest economies, coming amid broader geopolitical disputes over India’s energy and defense ties with Russia.

On August 6, the White House announced that it would double tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 50%, effective in 21 days. The decision, formalized by an executive order signed by then-President Donald Trump, specifically targets imports linked to India’s oil trade with Russia. The move reflects the US administration’s growing impatience with countries that continue commercial relations with Moscow despite Western sanctions imposed following Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.

This development represents a sharp escalation after the US had already introduced a 25% tariff on Indian imports earlier. With this new doubling of tariffs, India faces a significant increase in trade costs, threatening to disrupt bilateral economic ties and impact India’s broader energy security framework.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs swiftly condemned the new tariffs. A spokesperson emphasized that India’s oil imports from Russia are driven by “market factors” and aimed at “ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people.” The statement stressed that Washington’s actions undermine the sovereign right of India to chart its own economic and foreign policy based on national interests.

“We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” the spokesperson said, underscoring that several other countries continue to trade with Russia despite the sanctions and pressures from the West. The Indian government insists........

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