'What the hell...': Congress's Manish Tewari questions India-US trade deal
What's the story
Congress MP Manish Tewari has raised concerns over India's strategic autonomy following a trade deal with the United States. The deal, announced by US President Donald Trump after a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requires India to stop buying Russian oil and buy more from the US, and possibly Venezuela. It also states that India will impose no tariffs on American imports, while the US will charge a reduced tariff of 18% on Indian exports.
Tariff concerns
Tewari questions tariff imbalance in deal
In a post on X, Tewari questioned the tariff imbalance in the deal, asking if India has compromised its strategic autonomy for this agreement. He said, "No purchase of oil from Russia. No tariffs on American imports. American tariffs on Indian exports 18%. India will buy energy, technology, agriculture & coal. What the hell happened to India's strategic autonomy?" The full details of the trade deal are yet to be announced.
Deal announcement
Trump announces trade deal on X
Trump announced the trade deal on X on Monday, saying he spoke with PM Modi about trade and ending the Russia-Ukraine war. He said PM Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil and buy more from the US. "Out of friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi...we agreed to a Trade Deal between the United States and India," Trump wrote.
Modi's response
PM responds to Trump's announcement
PM Modi responded to Trump's announcement on X, saying he was happy that "Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%." A White House official confirmed Washington would also drop the extra 25% tariff on Indian imports due to New Delhi's Russian oil purchases. The official said India has to "cease, not just reduce," Russian oil purchases for this concession.