PM Modi Interested In ‘Tareef’, Not Tariffs, Says Jairam Ramesh

Congress MP and general secretary for communications, Jairam Ramesh criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 6, 2025, for his handling of the ongoing tariff disputes with the United States, particularly in light of US President Donald Trump’s threats regarding reciprocal tariffs.

Ramesh remarked that Modi seems more interested in receiving praise than addressing critical economic issues, stating, “Our prime minister wants to hear only ‘tareef’ (praise); he is not concerned about tariffs.”

In an interview with PTI, Ramesh emphasized that the Congress party would raise the issue of Trump’s tariff threats during the upcoming second half of Parliament’s Budget session. He called for a bipartisan effort to confront these challenges, highlighting the need for a collective response to what he termed “threats” from the US.

Ramesh also took aim at External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, accusing him of acting more like an American envoy than a representative of India. He expressed frustration over the Modi government’s approach to international trade, particularly in light of Trump’s unilateral changes to trade rules.

“Trump is entirely redoing the very rules of international trade,” Ramesh said, describing the US President’s concept of reciprocal tariffs as “bizarre.” He pointed out that India, along with 170 other countries, had negotiated a comprehensive tariff schedule that became the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, a process that took nearly a decade. Ramesh argued that Trump’s approach undermines these established norms, stating, “‘You tariff, I tariff’ is not how international trade functions.”

Ramesh also criticized the government’s handling of illegal Indian immigrants being deported from the US, asserting that even smaller countries are raising their voices against such actions while Modi remains silent. He invoked historical context, recalling how former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi stood firm against US pressure during her tenure.

“The prime minister talks about having a 56-inch chest; where is his 56-inch chest now?” Ramesh asked, referencing Modi’s previous claims of strength in leadership.

The Congress leader expressed concern over the manner in which Indian citizens were deported from the US, describing the process as humiliating and demeaning. He noted that many of the deported individuals were from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, and criticized the government for not addressing these issues adequately in Parliament.

As the second half of the Budget session approaches, Ramesh reiterated the importance of addressing the tariff issue, stating that the Congress party would raise it in Parliament. He emphasized the need for a united front against the US’s tariff threats, arguing that the Modi government has failed to take a strong stance.

Trump has been vocal about India’s tariffs, labeling them as “very unfair” during a recent address to Congress. He announced that reciprocal tariffs would take effect on April 2, 2025, citing a significant trade deficit with India. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is currently in Washington for trade discussions with his US counterpart, Howard Lutnick.

According to US estimates, total goods trade between the USA and India reached USD 129.2 billion in 2024, with US goods exports to India amounting to USD 41.8 billion, a 3.4% increase from the previous year. Conversely, US goods imports from India totaled USD 87.4 billion, reflecting a 4.5% rise. The US goods trade deficit with India stood at USD 45.7 billion in 2024, marking a 5.4% increase over 2023.

Ramesh’s comments underscore the ongoing tensions between India and the US regarding trade policies, as well as the Congress party’s commitment to holding the government accountable for its handling of these critical issues.