Page 13 - The Indian EYE 091225

OPINION SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 | The Indian Eye 13

that the US is selectively targeting challenge to the tariffs was based
India not based on a rational assess- on their inconsistency with US trade
ment of geopolitical priorities but law, particularly regarding the lack
rather for political reasons, perhaps of proper congressional approval.
influenced by the broader tensions This legal setback is not merely a
between Washington and New Del- technicality; it reflects the broader
hi over India’s independent foreign flaw in US foreign policy, where re-
policy. active, unilateral actions are taken
This double standard under-
mines the credibility of the US as a without the necessary legal or diplo-
matic groundwork.
global leader. If the goal is to dis- This ruling also casts doubt on
suade countries from purchasing the US’s ability to follow through
Russian oil, a consistent, multilateral with its foreign policy initiatives, es-
approach would be more effective. pecially when they face significant
By focusing disproportionately on internal opposition. The fact that a
India, the US risks alienating other court deemed the tariffs unlawful
key partners and appearing hypo- puts into question the broader effec-
critical. Inconsistent policies often tiveness of US actions on the global
breed skepticism among allies and stage. If the US cannot even legally
adversaries alike, diminishing the enforce its own policies, it weakens
US’s ability to lead in a world in- its position both domestically and
creasingly characterized by multipo- internationally, as countries like
lar power dynamics. India—who are already rethinking
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir their alliances—now have a legal
UNDERMINING DECADES OF Putin at the venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Council (SCO) Summit, in Tianjin (ANI) victory to bolster their resistance to
DIPLOMACY US pressure.
lationship between the two countries the liberal international order. In-
he US-India relationship is had shown tremendous growth, par- dia’s participation in the SCO, while CONCLUSION
not a recent development. It
In light of these additional devel-
Thas been built over decades of ticularly in sectors like technology, not signaling a full alignment with opments, it is clear that the US tariffs
China and Russia, highlights the
pharmaceuticals, and education. The
careful diplomacy, including bipar- imposition of these tariffs threatens shifting dynamics in global geopoli- on India have not only damaged dip-
tisan efforts from both Democratic to disrupt this positive economic tra- tics. lomatic relations but have also ex-
and Republican administrations. jectory. Indian exporters may face India’s growing engagement posed the weaknesses in US foreign
This cooperation has spanned a wide higher costs and reduced access to with the SCO, while simultaneous- policy execution. The SCO meeting
range of areas, from defense and the US market, potentially leading ly resisting US pressure, illustrates underscored India’s move toward di-
security collaboration to economic to job losses and decreased econom- the failure of US foreign policy to versifying its strategic relationships,
partnerships and cultural exchanges. ic growth. manage the delicate balance of eco- further distancing itself from US
The tariffs threaten to unravel years Furthermore, American busi- nomic and strategic interests in the influence. Meanwhile, the legal rul-
of goodwill and collaborative efforts, nesses that rely on trade with India Indo-Pacific. Rather than isolating ing against the tariffs demonstrates
particularly as India has positioned may also suffer. The interconnected- India or forcing a shift away from the lack of a coherent, sustainable
itself as an increasingly important ness of global supply chains means Russia and China, the US has inad- approach to international relations.
player in global affairs. that the tariff could have ripple ef- vertently accelerated India’s pivot These failures, both in diplomatic
India’s government has been
outspoken in its criticism of the tar- fects, impacting industries ranging toward these countries. strategy and legal frameworks, high-
light the need for a fundamental shift
from technology to consumer goods.
The US, once seen as a domi-
iffs, with India’s Ministry of External The harm to economic ties nant global player, risks alienating in how the US approaches its foreign
Affairs calling the move “unjustified could, in the long run, be more dam- allies like India, who are now more policy, particularly in the Indo-Pacif-
and unreasonable.” This public re- aging to the US than to India, as the inclined to diversify their alliances ic. To preserve its global leadership,
buke highlights the depth of the dip- US risks alienating a rapidly growing and engage with multilateral organi- the US must pivot away from puni-
lomatic rift the tariffs have caused. economy in a region that is key to fu- zations such as the SCO that reflect a tive measures and toward more co-
Moreover, India’s decision to ex- ture global stability. broader range of global perspectives. operative, multilateral engagement
plore alternative markets, including As the diplomatic fallout from with key allies like India.
renewed engagement with China the tariffs continues to unfold, the LEGAL SETBACK: THE US
and other countries like Russia and timing of the Shanghai Cooperation As a columnist, H.S. Panesar brings a
those in Europe and South America, Organization (SCO) meeting in Chi- COURT RULING ON TARIFFS wealth of experience in global business,
signals a shift away from the US. By na adds another layer of complexity urther compounding the for- technology, and trade.
disregarding decades of hard-fought to the situation. In this forum, India, eign policy missteps, the re-
diplomacy, the US has risked losing alongside China and other key coun- Fcent ruling by a US federal He is the Chair of the Global Indian
a strategic ally and potentially dam- tries, reaffirmed its strategic rela- court that declared the tariff im- Trade and Cultural Council and Pres-
aging its standing in the region.
tionships with China and Russia, fur- position on India illegal serves as a ident of the Global Indian Diaspora
ther complicating the US’s position clear indication that the policy was Alliance, with a deep understanding of
ECONOMIC in the region. poorly conceived and implemented. the U.S.-India relationship.
RAMIFICATIONS The SCO, an organization in- The court’s decision to strike down
creasingly seen as an alternative to the tariffs not only undermines the His expertise as a consultant in Global
he economic impact of these Western-led global institutions, has legal standing of the Trump admin- Business Development, Pharmaceu-
tariffs is also significant. As been gaining traction among coun- istration’s actions but also highlights ticals, and AI in Healthcare provides
Tof 2024, India was America’s tries that are either dissatisfied with the lack of strategic foresight in the a unique and informed perspective on
largest trading partner, and the re- US leadership or wish to challenge decision-making process. The legal current events. [email protected]

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