US President Donald Trump’s attempts to pressure India with tariffs over Russian oil did not yield the desired outcome, as per a study by Professor Kunal Kamal Kumar from IIM Udaipur. The study, published in Third World Quarterly, highlights that while tariff threats were used as leverage, India stood firm on its energy security and national interests.
India’s stance was centered on sovereignty, energy security, and strategic autonomy, emphasizing that decisions regarding its energy requirements would be made in Delhi, not under external pressure. The study also commends PM Modi’s government for upholding India’s strategic autonomy and making decisions in the country’s best interests, irrespective of external pressures.
Furthermore, the study underscores the economic repercussions of tariff wars, emphasizing that such tactics can backfire and harm both parties involved. It argues that tariff threats, though creating pressure, do not always lead to capitulation but can instead strengthen the resolve of the targeted nation to assert its independence.
Highlighting a broader global shift, the study suggests that countries like India are less amenable to succumbing to Western pressure on critical issues. It portrays India’s policy as pragmatic, emphasizing the importance of securing affordable energy supplies and maintaining domestic stability and economic growth.
The study concludes that India’s refusal to yield to Trump’s tariff pressure signifies a larger strategic shift under PM Modi’s leadership, focusing on engaging with global powers while safeguarding national interests and asserting sovereignty and energy security.
