Opposition Questions PM on India’s Diplomacy After Trump’s Tariff Move

Rapid Summary

• U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on imports from India,alongside penalties related to IndiaS purchase of Russian oil and weapons.
• Opposition parties in India,including the Congress and Communist Party of india (CPI),criticized Prime minister Narendra Modi’s government for its handling of the issue during the ongoing Parliament Monsoon session (July 30,2025).
• congress leader K.C. Venugopal called for PM Modi to explain how his government will navigate what he described as a “perilous situation” caused by linking trade and national security concerns.
• CPI General Secretary D. Raja accused PM Modi’s government of remaining silent despite repeated provocations by Trump, compromising India’s autonomy.
• Congress communications head Jairam Ramesh alleged that diplomatic silence regarding U.S.-Pakistani relations had not yielded the expected benefits for India in trade negotiations with President Trump.
• Congress MP Manish Tewari invoked India’s historical doctrine of strategic autonomy and non-alignment to underline that Trump’s tariff policy might have limited impact on long-term Indo-U.S engagement.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The imposition of tariffs and penalties by President Trump represents a meaningful challenge for Indian diplomacy, particularly in balancing economic interests with geopolitical strategies such as Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance). Opposition criticism underscores domestic concerns about transparency and effective governance regarding foreign policy decisions during tense international conditions.

India’s historical stance on strategic autonomy offers an enduring framework for navigating such pressures while protecting national sovereignty. However, diplomatic silence in response to repeated provocations could be perceived as passivity rather than strategic restraint-a key point raised by opposition leaders urging more assertive action from PM Modi’s management. The implications of this development reach beyond economics; they may influence broader indo-U.S engagements amid evolving global power dynamics.

For more information: Trump slaps 25% tariff on imports from India plus penalty