The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), an economic affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on Friday sharply criticized the United States for imposing a 25% tariff on Indian exports, coupled with an unspecified penalty over India’s trade with Russia. Labeling the move as “coercive,” SJM’s national co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan urged the Indian government to stand firm in protecting national interests and accelerate its push for self-reliance under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
The tariffs, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on July 31, 2025, via Truth Social, target India’s $45.8 billion trade surplus with the U.S., citing India’s high tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and its purchase of Russian oil and arms amid the Ukraine conflict. Mahajan called the penalties an attack on India’s sovereign right to secure affordable energy and defense equipment, essential for controlling domestic inflation and bolstering indigenous defense production. “No country can dictate India’s trade partners in a multi-polar world,” he told The Hindu, emphasizing that India adheres to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and recognizes only UN sanctions.
Mahajan warned that U.S. consumers will bear the brunt of higher tariffs through inflation, while India’s “short-term losses” will fuel its drive for self-sufficiency in critical sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. He highlighted India’s refusal to open markets to U.S. genetically modified (GM) crops, dairy, and medical devices during ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks, praising negotiators for resisting pressure despite missed deadlines on July 9 and 31. India’s stance on data localization and exemptions from U.S. tariffs on steel, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals reflects its commitment to biodiversity, food security, and economic autonomy, he added.
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The SJM sees the tariffs as a misstep by the U.S., a strategic partner, especially when global trade faces threats from China’s restrictions on rare earth exports, which disrupt manufacturing worldwide. Mahajan advocated for diversified trade with Latin America, Africa, and the expanded BRICS bloc to reduce reliance on traditional partners. “Trade must serve mutual benefit, not pressure,” he said, citing India’s $190 billion bilateral trade with the U.S. and its potential to reach $500 billion.
India’s economic resilience, underscored by its 6.5% GDP growth in 2024, overtaking Japan as the world’s fourth-largest economy, and a projected rise to third by 2030, bolsters its negotiating leverage. The SJM referenced India’s role in Operation Sindoor, a 2024 naval evacuation of citizens from conflict zones, as proof of its global stature. Mahajan suggested leveraging U.S.-China trade tensions to attract manufacturing investments without compromising on sensitive sectors like agriculture, where India’s 1.4 billion population demands robust protections.
The Indian Commerce Ministry, responding on July 30, reaffirmed its commitment to a “fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial” trade deal, with a sixth round of talks slated for late August. Analysts warn the tariffs could shave 0.3% off India’s GDP growth, but Mahajan remains optimistic, urging India to tap new markets and deepen its strategic autonomy to counter U.S. pressure.
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