Overview

• The U.S. has a 25% tariff on Indian goods in force and plans to add another 25% tied to Russian oil trade on August 27, lifting the effective rate to 50%.
• At the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, the external affairs minister said India’s energy choices serve national and global interests and told critics, “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.”
• He drew “red lines” in trade talks by ruling out compromises that harm farmers and small producers, as negotiations remain strained and a planned U.S. trade visit was scrapped.
• Jaishankar said Washington did not privately urge India to stop buying Russian oil until President Trump’s public criticism and accused the U.S. of applying different standards to China and Europe.
• Fresh from meetings with Vladimir Putin and Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, he highlighted efforts to deepen India–Russia ties, including plans for two new Indian consulates.