Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Wednesday strongly criticised the Modi government over the 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the US on Indian goods, calling it a “foreign policy disaster.” Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to protect India’s interests and secure a trade deal with the US despite months of negotiations.
“The US President’s decision to impose 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods is a foreign policy disaster, and the Modi government is clueless on how to deal with it,” Kharge said. “You can’t even blame this foreign policy disaster on the 70 years of Congress,” Kharge said in a post on handle X.
The tariffs, effective from August 27, are expected to have a significant impact on India’s economy, with an estimated loss of Rs 2.17 lakh crore across 10 sectors. Key sectors such as textiles, gems and jewelry, and agriculture will be severely affected, leading to massive job losses.
Asserting that the tariffs would impact potential job losses of approximately 500,000, including both direct and indirect employment, Kharge stated that 150,000 to 200,000 jobs could be at risk if the tariffs are continued. Additionally, he stated that the livelihoods of half a million shrimp farmers are directly at risk, and those of another 2.5 million are indirectly at grave risk.
Kharge criticised Modi’s foreign policy engagements, saying they are superficial and lack substance. “A robust Foreign Policy needs substance and deft, but your superficial Foreign Policy engagements – smiles, hugs and selfies—have hurt our interests,” Kharge said.
Kharge also questioned Modi’s silence on Trump’s claims about brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. “You kept mum when Trump claimed that he brokered the ceasefire. He has claimed at least 30 times and counting,” Kharge alleged.
The tariffs are expected to impact India’s GDP, with the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) suggesting that almost 1 per cent of India’s GDP could be impacted. Kharge emphasised that India’s national interest is supreme and that a robust foreign policy is needed to protect its interests.