Bangladesh, July 31 -- In a move that has injected fresh tension into US-India trade relations, US President Donald Trump announced that a 25% tariff would be imposed on Indian goods starting August 1. The statement, issued via Trumps Truth Social platform, accused India of maintaining high tariff barriers and continuing its defense and energy ties with Russia-both of which the former president deemed unacceptable in light of US strategic interests.

India, however, wasted no time in crafting a measured yet firm response. Through a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce, New Delhi vowed to protect its domestic economic interests, particularly those of farmers, entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized enterprises, while reaffirming ...