President Donald Trump’s latest tariff salvo is not just another twist in US-India trade negotiations. It is a direct blow to India’s economic prospects, export competitiveness, and policy credibility at a time when the country is trying to project itself as a resilient global player.

While previous trade tensions could be seen as geopolitical pressure, the newly announced 25 per cent tariff ~ along with an undefined penalty for India’s Russian oil and arms purchases ~ poses a material threat to growth and livelihoods at home. Ratings agency ICRA has already revised India’s GDP growth estimate for the year from 6.5 per cent to 6.2 per cent, flagging the tariffs as a new headwind. Nom ura forecasts a potential hit of 0.2 per cent to growth if the penalties are severe or sustained. The Indian stock markets echoed this concern, reacting sharply to the news ~ an indication that........

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