After Modi's Bold Stand, Trump Doubles Tariff and Warns India Again: Is This Strategic Pressure or Personal Grudge?

India-US Relation: In a major decision on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 percent duty on imports from India. This decision has raised serious questions on the India-US strategic partnership. Apart from this, Trump has also threatened 'secondary sanctions' on India for continuing to buy oil from Russia.

Strategic partnership in trouble

Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Washington-based think tank Wilson Center, called it the most serious crisis for relations between India and the US in the last two decades. He said, "I think this is the worst phase in the history of our strategic partnership." He further warned that these economic sanctions could have a negative impact on the broader cooperation between the two countries.

America's growing uneasiness

This announcement by the Trump administration has come at a time when India is continuing to buy energy from Russia despite US pressure. America's recent policy has increased the trend of linking economic punishment with diplomatic outrage, and in the current situation, India has become the next target of this policy. Kugelman said that this decision is not surprising. Seeing the ups and downs in relations in recent months, it was not difficult to guess that President Trump would eventually act on his warning.

There is still a chance to save the relationship

However, he also added that the relations between the two countries cannot be considered completely over yet. He said that cooperation between India and America continues at many levels: trade, defense, education, technology, and mutual strategic interests. This relationship is multidimensional and can withstand such shocks.

Targeting India, giving relief to China?

When Kugelman was asked why Trump did not target China despite its close ties with Russia, he reiterated that this is a kind of hypocrisy. He said that China allowed Trump to take credit for mediating in the Ukraine conflict, but India did not give any such indication. Perhaps this is why Trump took out his biggest anger on India.

There may be sanctions on China too

However, Trump also indicated that after India, additional tariffs could be imposed on China as well. When reporters asked him if China could also face sanctions like India, he said that it could happen. Trump also added that such steps are being taken to increase pressure on Russia and end the Ukraine war.