RSS’s economic wing urges Centre to resist U.S. tariff pressure

The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, an economic wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, has strongly urged the Indian government to maintain its position on India's energy policy and reject any attempts by the United States to leverage tariffs against India's purchases of Russian crude oil. This reaction came in response to recent U.S. Senate legislation that would allow the U.S. President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries making significant oil purchases from Russia.

The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch's National Co Convener, Ashwani Mahajan, emphasized that India's energy security, availability, pricing, and the diversification of its oil supplies are the primary considerations behind its purchases of Russian crude oil. He also stressed that these sovereign rights cannot be overridden by any third country.

Mahajan argued that unilateral tariffs could disrupt free and fair international trade, creating uncertainty for various stakeholders, including exporters, importers, investors, and consumers.

He further linked the proposed tariff measures to the ongoing India-U.S. trade negotiations, advocating for discussions based on equality, reciprocity, and mutual respect rather than threats of punitive duties. Mahajan criticized recent policy changes concerning foreign investment in e-commerce and a proposed framework allowing banks and payment providers to levy a merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI transactions, claiming these measures could benefit U.S.-based companies at the expense of Indian businesses and digital-payment platforms.

The organization called for stronger action against Washington's actions, urging the government to reconsider the proposed e-commerce policy change, withhold the MDR-related legislation, and reject any demands that could affect India's agriculture, dairy sector, energy security, or strategic autonomy. They also advocated for a boycott of American products and services, starting with companies like Pepsi and Coke, and potentially extending to other U.S. giants if the U.S. continues to act against India's interests.