President Trump announces steep tariff hikes on Indian imports over continued Russian oil purchases; India calls it “unjustified and unreasonable”.

Context and Relevance (GS2 – International Relations, GS3 – Economy, Trade Policy):

In a move that has strained India–U.S. economic ties, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to “substantially” increase tariffs on Indian goods. This decision comes days after a 25% tariff plus penalty was imposed, with Trump citing India’s oil imports from Russia as the trigger. India has hit back, defending its energy security needs and calling out the West’s own trade with Russia.

This development adds to the geopolitical-economic complexity facing India’s foreign policy and trade decisions in the wake of the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

What are Tariffs?

1. A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on imported goods.
2. Tariffs make foreign goods costlier, potentially protecting domestic industries but also risking retaliation and higher consumer prices.

Sectors Likely to Be Affected

1. Pharmaceuticals – India is a major exporter of generic drugs to the U.S.; tariffs could increase prices and affect competitiveness.
2. Metals and Engineering Goods – Steel, aluminum, and other value-added metals are vulnerable.
3. Textiles and Apparel – A major Indian export to the U.S. which operates on thin margins.
4. IT Services (Indirect Impact) – Not under direct tariff but can be impacted by broader deterioration in trade ties.
5. Petrochemicals and Refined Products – As India refines and re-exports Russian crude, this area could come under scrutiny.
6. Defence Procurement and Technology Sharing – Strategic relations could take a hit, affecting high-tech transfers.
7. Startups and Digital Trade – New tech collaborations may slow if the overall atmosphere deteriorates.

Why is the U.S. Taking This Step:

President Trump’s reasoning includes:

1. India allegedly buying “massive amounts of Russian oil” and re-exporting it for profits.
2. High Indian tariffs and non-tariff barriers that restrict U.S. goods.
3. India’s continued energy and defence cooperation with Russia.
4. Trump’s argument taps into U.S. domestic concerns around trade imbalances and perceived strategic neutrality by India on the Russia–Ukraine issue.

India’s Stand: Energy Security First:

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong rebuttal:

1. India started buying from Russia when traditional suppliers diverted oil to Europe.
2. The U.S. itself had encouraged these imports to stabilise global markets.
3. Western nations continue trading with Russia in: LNG, uranium, palladium, fertilisers, and chemicals.
4. EU–Russia bilateral trade in 2024 exceeded €84.7 billion (goods + services).

India argued that its trade was a “vital compulsion”, unlike the West’s “strategic choice”.

Economic and Strategic Implications for India:

Core Economic Concepts at Play

1. Trade Diversion & Substitution: U.S. importers may turn to other countries, diverting trade away from India.
2. Protectionism vs Globalisation: Rising protectionism threatens the rules-based global trade order.
3. Non-Tariff Barriers Debate: Focus returns to India’s complex regulatory environment that discourages FDI and foreign trade.
4. Elasticity of Demand for Indian Exports: Tariff hikes could reveal price sensitivity in sectors like pharma and textiles.

Foreign Policy and Strategic Autonomy

1. India’s multi-alignment strategy is being tested.
2. Strategic autonomy in energy choices now faces economic costs.

Impact on India’s Export Competitiveness

• With countries like Vietnam, Mexico, and Indonesia unaffected by such tariffs, India faces a competitive disadvantage.

Investor Confidence

• Heightened U.S.–India tensions could create policy uncertainty for foreign investors.

Way Forward for India:

1. Bilateral Negotiations: Urgent dialogue needed through trade channels to de-escalate.
2. Diversification: India must strengthen ties with other large markets (e.g., EU, ASEAN, Africa).
3. Strengthen Domestic Industry: Boost manufacturing competitiveness through PLI schemes, FTAs, and ease of doing business.
4. Energy Diplomacy: Deepen engagement with Gulf countries and renewables to reduce over-dependence on Russia.

Conclusion:

This episode is a litmus test for India’s balancing act between strategic autonomy and economic pragmatism. It also reflects the larger trend of global economic nationalism overshadowing multilateral cooperation. India will need to walk a tightrope between asserting its sovereign right to energy security and preserving its vital trade relationships.

Sample UPSC Mains Question (GS2/GS3 – 15 Marks)

In the wake of rising global protectionism and India’s continued energy trade with Russia, critically examine the impact of unilateral tariff impositions by developed nations on India’s strategic autonomy and export competitiveness. Suggest a multi-pronged approach to mitigate such risks.

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Why in the News?

Concerns have emerged over India’s commitments in the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), particularly Article 13.6 on intellectual property. Critics argue it weakens India’s long-standing stance on compulsory licensing, favouring voluntary mechanisms instead.

How does Article 13.6 affect medicine access in India?

• Dilution of Compulsory Licensing Rights: The Article 13.6 of CETA favours voluntary licensing over compulsory licensing, reducing India’s legal room to ensure affordable drug access, especially during public health emergencies.
• Reduced Policy Space in Patent Law: Provisions like weakening the “working requirement” restrict India’s ability to revoke non-working foreign patents, hampering local production of essential medicines.
• Dependence on Foreign Patent Holders: Voluntary licensing shifts control to multinational corporations, allowing them to set restrictive terms, often limiting distribution, pricing, and manufacturing flexibility for Indian firms.
• Loss of Global TRIPS Advocacy Role
  India’s past leadership in pushing for TRIPS flexibilities (Doha Declaration) is undermined, affecting its credibility in representing developing countries’ interests in global forums.
• Risk to Access and Affordability of Medicines: The FTA could hinder production of low-cost generics, making life-saving drugs less accessible to Indian citizens and low-income countries relying on Indian pharma exports.

Which global rules backed India’s earlier patent stand?

• TRIPS Agreement (WTO):  Allowed for compulsory licensing under public health grounds, helping India prioritize affordable access over strict patent monopolies.
• Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health (2001): Reaffirmed countries’ right to protect public health and promote access to medicines, supporting India’s flexible patent stance.
• Paragraph 6 System (WTO, 2003): Enabled countries like India to export generic medicines to nations lacking manufacturing capacity, aligning with its role as the “pharmacy of the world.”
• Indian Patent Act, 1970 (amended in 2005): Incorporated TRIPS flexibilities such as compulsory licensing and strict patentability criteria (e.g. Section 3(d)) to prevent evergreening.
• UN High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines (2016): Emphasized that IP rights should not override public health, validating India’s position on balancing innovation and accessibility.

What should be done? 

• Reaffirm TRIPS Flexibilities in Trade Negotiations: India must ensure that all future FTAs explicitly protect its right to use compulsory licensing and patent law flexibilitiesunder the TRIPS Agreement.
• Strengthen Domestic Patent Law: Amend and reinforce provisions like the “working requirement” to protect public health and allow challenges to non-working or unaffordable patents.
• Enhance Public Health Safeguards in FTAs: Negotiate clear exceptions for essential medicines and green technology, ensuring that IP provisions do not override public interest obligations.
• Build Strategic Alliances with Global South: Collaborate with developing countries to collectively oppose IP-heavy provisions in trade deals and promote affordable access to medicines globally.
• Promote Indigenous Innovation and R&D: Invest in public sector research and incentivize Indian pharma and green tech innovation to reduce dependency on foreign patents and strengthen self-reliance.

Mains PYQ:

[UPSC 2024] Discuss the implications of Intellectual Property rights with respect to life materials? Although, India is second in the world to file patents, still only a few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind this less commercialization.

Linkage: This question directly asks about “Intellectual Property rights with respect to life materials” and patents. The article talks about the implications of India’s CETA commitments on its patent regime concerning “patented medicines” and the “patent system”. The “slip up” in the trade pact is precisely about India compromising its traditional stance on IPR, particularly regarding access to medicines, which is a direct implication of intellectual property rights on life materials.

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Why in the News?

Recently, US President Donald Trump has threatened additional penalties on Indian imports, specifically targeting India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil.

Why is India buying more oil from Russia?

• Steep Price Discounts: Russian crude is sold at prices significantly below global benchmarks. In FY 2024-25, India imported $56.9 billion worth of mineral fuels from Russia, up from $2.1 billion in 2020-21.
• Energy Security Priority: Ensuring affordable and reliable energy is vital for India’s economic stability and consumer welfare.
• No UN Sanctions: India legally continues trade since Russian oil is not under United Nations sanctions, unlike US/EU bans. India cites international legality and moral justification for its purchases.
• Strategic Pragmatism: India follows a non-aligned, interest-driven foreign policy, prioritizing national needs over bloc politics.

What are the impacts of the US and NATO warnings on India?

• Trade Penalty Threats: The US has imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods and hinted at an additional penalty linked to India’s energy trade with Russia.
• Secondary Sanctions Warning: NATO has warned that countries continuing business with Russia may face secondary sanctions. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte issued a caution to India, China, and Brazil for sustaining Russia’s wartime economy.
• Legislative Pressure in the US: A proposed US Congressional bill seeks a 500% duty on imports from nations trading in Russian-origin petroleum and uranium. If passed, this could impact Indian exports to the US due to its engagement in discounted Russian oil.
• Strained Strategic Ties: Continued trade with Russia risks diplomatic friction with key Western allies, affecting defence cooperation and technology sharing. India’s balancing strategy between Russia and the West becomes harder as the Western bloc consolidates against Moscow.
• Push for Energy Diversification: Western pressure is pushing India to rethink its energy security strategy and reduce dependence on Russian crude.

How can India change its strategy to buy oil from other countries?

• Diversify Import Sources: India can increase crude purchases from Gulf countries, the US, Latin America, and Africa to reduce dependence on Russia. Eg: India has ramped up imports from Iraq and Saudi Arabia, traditionally among its top suppliers.
• Sign Long-term Contracts: Establish long-term supply agreements with stable oil-exporting nations to ensure steady and secure inflow. Eg: India signed a long-term deal with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for crude supply and storage.
• Invest in Strategic Partnerships: Strengthen ties through energy diplomacy and joint ventures in oil exploration and production abroad. Eg: Indian PSUs like ONGC Videsh have stakes in oil fields in Vietnam, Venezuela, and Russia.
• Leverage Spot Market and Strategic Reserves: Use the global spot market for short-term deals and enhance strategic petroleum reserves (SPRs). Eg: India has bought crude from the US and Nigeria on the spot market during price dips.
• Boost Domestic Refining Flexibility: Upgrade refineries to process diverse crude grades, enabling imports from a wider range of countries. Eg: Reliance and Indian Oil refineries are capable of handling crude from the US, Middle East, and West Africa.

How can India protect its interests and handle pressure? (Way forward)

• Prioritize Strategic Autonomy: India should maintain an independent foreign policy, making decisions based on national interest rather than aligning with any geopolitical bloc.
• Engage in Diplomatic Dialogue: Proactively communicate with Western partners to explain its energy needs and seek carve-outs or exemptions from potential sanctions.
• Strengthen Domestic Resilience: Increase investments in renewable energy, expand strategic oil reserves, and boost refining capacity to reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
• Balance Competing Relationships: Carefully navigate ties with both Russia and the West, ensuring that economic cooperation does not compromise strategic partnerships elsewhere.

Mains PYQ:

[UPSC 2019] What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem and ambitions” Explain with suitable examples.

Linkage: This question highlights the tension arising when India seeks to act according to its “National self-esteem and ambitions” rather than conforming to a global strategy dictated by another power (the US). This strongly aligns with the idea of India making independent decisions guided by its own interests.

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