Jaishankar Calls For ‘Fair’ Global Order Amid Trump’s Tariffs: ‘Not One Controlled By a Few’
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Monday emphasised the importance of a just and multipolar global order, stating that it should not be one controlled by a handful of powers. His comments come in the backdrop of Donald Trump’s tariff strategies, which are being used to pressure several nations, including India, into signing trade agreements with the United States.
His statement carries weight, especially as the international community grapples with Trump’s unilateral tariff measures on numerous countries, aimed at pushing them into trade pacts with the US, or else subjecting their exports to heavy levies.
“We are living in complex and unpredictable times. Our shared aspiration is to establish a fair and inclusive global order — not one controlled by a few. This aspiration is often expressed in terms of political or economic rebalancing… Traditions hold immense importance because, in the end, they define identity. We must be secure in who we are if we want the confidence to shape what lies ahead. For nations like ours, traditions are indeed a powerful source of strength,” Jaishankar said during his address at the BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival in New Delhi.
US Intensifies Trade War With India
The United States has intensified its trade conflict with India by introducing 25% tariffs on Indian goods being exported to the American market, along with additional penalties for India’s ongoing purchase of Russian crude oil and military equipment from Moscow.
Donald Trump on Monday stated that he would increase tariffs on Indian goods, citing India’s continued energy trade with Russia. He alleged that India is “purchasing massive volumes of Russian oil and reselling it on the open market at high margins”.
“Due to this, I will be significantly increasing the tariffs that India pays to the US,” Trump announced.
India Gives Strong Response To US
Within a few hours, India firmly responded to Trump’s warnings regarding its Russian oil imports, labelling the new US tariffs as “unjustified and irrational”. India also criticised the hypocrisy of the US and EU, pointing out that both continue trading with Russia despite their vocal opposition to the Ukraine conflict.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that India’s crude imports from Russia are driven by economic compulsion due to global market dynamics, and should not be viewed as a political alignment with Moscow.
“India will take all required steps to protect its sovereign interests and ensure economic security,” the statement affirmed.
The MEA also noted that both the US and the European Union maintain trade relations with Russia, including the purchase of nuclear fuel and essential goods, despite their public stance against the war.
Furthermore, it highlighted that the EU’s trade with Russia amounted to €67.5 billion in goods and €17.2 billion in services — far exceeding India’s trade volume with Russia.
