New Delhi, Feb. 26 -- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said the government's objective is to remove the fear of a 'tariff wall' around the Indian market, but emphasised that tariff rationalisation must be gradual and carefully calibrated.

Speaking at Business Standard Manthan 2026, she said tariff decisions in the Union Budget 2026-27 were taken after a detailed, sector-by-sector assessment of protection levels, duration, and domestic manufacturing capability. She explained that industries receiving protection for 20-30 years without becoming globally competitive may be opened up to competition.

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