Congress Slams Modi Over Additional U.S. Tariffs, Calls ‘MEGA’ a ‘Major Headache

Quick Summary

• U.S. President Donald trump imposed additional tariffs on Indian goods, bringing the total levies to 50%, effective August 27, 2025.
• The increased tariffs were tied to indias purchase of Russian crude oil.
• Impacted exports include textiles, gems and jewelry, leather, marine products, and engineering goods – sectors that are notably labor-intensive.
• The U.S. Commerce Secretary criticized the H1B visa system recently; indian IT professionals have been its largest beneficiaries.
• in Febuary 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi touted a “MEGA partnership” with Trump-combining Trump’s “Make America Grate Again” (MAGA) slogan with Modi’s new “Make India Great Again” (MIGA)-to signify strong bilateral cooperation.
• congress leaders criticized this MEGA formula as counterproductive following the tariff increase and noted it has become a “MAHA headache” for India.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The imposition of ample U.S. tariffs on key Indian exports signifies potential challenges in India’s trade relations with one of its primary partners. Labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and engineering are especially vulnerable, likely impacting both employment in associated industries and overall export growth. Additionally, critiques against H1B visas could further strain india’s globally acclaimed IT industry.

Political metrics aside, this development warrants sober reflection on emerging geopolitical dependencies like crude oil purchases from Russia – decisions that appear integral to policy tensions with nations like the U.S. While Prime Minister Modi emphasized resilience amid growing external pressures on farmers and industries earlier this week, comprehensive measures will be crucial moving forward to mitigate economic repercussions without compromising core strategic interests.

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