Overview

• The U.S. administration imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports on August 7 and will raise duties to 50% from August 27, citing national security and India’s Russian oil purchases.
• India’s ‘Plan B’ response accelerates free-trade agreement negotiations with the EU, UK, Latin America and other partners while pursuing broader market diversification.
• The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations warns that about 70% of India’s exports—especially textiles, gems and seafood—face exposure to the higher U.S. duties.
• Bloomberg-cited sources and Indian officials confirm private talks to reopen three Himalayan border trading points with China after a five-year freeze following the 2020 Galwan clashes.
• President Trump has credited his tariff escalation with persuading Vladimir Putin to meet in Alaska for Ukraine talks, a development New Delhi hopes will spur reconsideration of the duties.