New delhi: India expressed strong disapproval on Wednesday following US President Donald Trump's decision to increase tariffs to 50% on Indian imports. The Foreign Ministry labeled the move as 'extremely unfortunate,' criticizing it as a response to actions that numerous other countries are also undertaking to protect their national interests.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Indian Foreign Ministry described the tariff hike as 'unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.' The ministry affirmed that India would take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interests. It emphasized that India's imports are driven by market factors with the overarching goal of ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens.

The tariff increase comes after President Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% duty, beyond an initial 25% levy, targeting India due to its continued purchase of Russian oil. Trump justified the decision by citing the national emergency outlined in Executive Order 14066, asserting that it was necessary to impose higher duties on Indian imports due to their indirect or direct importation of Russian oil.

The situation escalated as Trump indicated that the US would make determinations about imposing sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil, following discussions between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian officials in Moscow. Trump has accused India of benefiting from the resale of Russian oil, further straining bilateral relations.

In response to the tariff hike, senior Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the move on platform X, calling it economic blackmail and urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to succumb to pressure at the expense of Indian interests. Gandhi stated, "Trump's 50% tariff is economic blackmail - an attempt to bully India into an unfair trade deal. PM Modi better not let his weakness override the interests of the Indian people."