Two seasoned diplomats weigh in on how India should respond to President Trump’s steep tariffs. Former Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao warns against mistaking personal politics for policy, urging quiet strength to defend strategic autonomy. Former High Commissioner to Canada and Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, advocates measured engagement, arguing that negotiation, not defiance, offers the best path forward.
Trump’s Tariffs, India’s Autonomy, and the Cost of Defiance: Nirupama Rao
The U.S.–India relationship has withstood political transitions, economic realignments, and shifting global priorities. But the latest blow raises a tricky question: is India being punished not for its policies but for its posture?
When U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian imports, it disrupted more than trade. It jolted the strategic logic of a partnership two decades in the making. The move signalled to New Delhi and the world that in Trump’s playbook, diplomacy is personal, loyalty is transactional, and independence carries a price.
The Russian Oil Dilemma
At the core of the standoff is India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian oil, which surged after the Ukraine war began. For New Delhi, this is about energy security, not ideology. India needs affordable crude to sustain growth and shield its population from price shocks.
