Mallikarjun Kharge slams PM Modi over US tariffs, says India will lose Rs 2.17 lakh cr as first blow

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of failing to protect Indian interests in the wake of the United States' decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian exports.

In a post on X, Kharge criticised what he called Modi’s “superficial foreign policy engagements,” saying that they have only "hurt the interests of the country".

“Your dear friend ‘Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar’ has imposed 50% Tariffs on India, starting today. We will lose an estimated Rs 2.17 lakh crore as the first jolt to this Tariff, across 10 sectors alone. Our farmers, especially cotton growers, are badly hit.

"You had said you are ready to pay any 'personal price' to protect them, but you have done absolutely nothing to soften the blow and protect their livelihoods,” Kharge said in his post.

Raising concerns over the US tariff targeting key Indian sectors and impacting India's GDP, Kharge said, "Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) suggests that almost 1% of our GDP could be impacted, and that China would benefit. Several export-oriented important sectors, including MSMEs, will experience massive job losses".

Outlining sector-wise repercussions, Kharge said, Indian textile export sector is facing potential job losses of about 500,000 including both direct and indirect employment; In the gems & jewellery sector, 150,000 to 200,000 jobs could be at risk if the tariffs continue.

Close to 1,00,000 workers involved in diamond cutting and polishing across the Saurashtra region have already lost their jobs since April, when the 10% base US tariff was put in place. “And the livelihoods of half a million shrimp farmers directly and another 2.5 million indirectly is at grave risk”.

"Indian National interest is supreme. A robust foreign policy needs substance and deft, but your superficial foreign policy engagements -- smiles, hugs and selfies -- have hurt our interests," he said.

Kharge also blamed the government’s failure to secure a comprehensive trade deal with the US, claiming that India's negotiators had been outmaneuvered. “You failed in securing a trade deal. Now you are failing to protect our country,” he added.