Trump’s Tariffs a ‘Manthan’? Anand Mahindra on How India Can ‘Make the Most of This Moment’
Mahindra suggested two “strong measures” India should adopt to overcome the challenges and convert the situation into an opportunity.
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra on Wednesday responded to US President Donald Trump’s move to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, which will now bring the total import duty on Indian products to 50%.
In response to these stringent actions, Mahindra proposed two key measures that India should undertake to tackle the crisis and transform it into an opportunity.
“The ‘law of unintended consequences’ seems to be silently at work in the ongoing tariff battle initiated by the US,” Mahindra wrote in a detailed post on X.
He questioned whether India, like several other nations, could make use of this situation to derive positive results.
“Shouldn’t India also grab this chance to craft a favourable outcome for itself?”
Drawing parallels with the 1991 balance of payments crisis, which sparked landmark economic reforms in the country, Mahindra asked if this global ‘Manthan’ (churning) over tariffs could result in some ‘Amrit’ (nectar) for India.
In his post, Mahindra recommended two major steps that India should act upon without delay:
1. Significantly Enhance Ease of Doing Business
India must move beyond gradual reforms and establish a truly efficient single-window clearance mechanism for all types of investment proposals.
Though investment-related regulations fall largely under the purview of state governments, the process can begin with a coalition of proactive states collaborating on a national-level single-window platform.
If we showcase speed, simplicity, and predictability, India can emerge as an unbeatable destination for global investment in a world that is actively looking for trusted partners.
2. Tap into Tourism’s Potential as a Foreign Exchange Driver
Tourism remains one of the most underutilised sources of foreign exchange earnings and job creation.
India should immediately ramp up visa processing speed, enhance tourist support systems, and establish exclusive tourism corridors around major attractions—ensuring high standards of security, cleanliness, and hygiene.
These corridors can become exemplary zones, motivating other regions to replicate the model and thereby raise the overall national benchmark.
In addition, Mahindra highlighted the need for comprehensive reforms, which include:
- Enhanced support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
- Faster infrastructure upgrades
- Strengthening manufacturing via expanded Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes
- Streamlining import duties to improve competitiveness
“Let the so-called unintended consequences that we create be the most deliberate and transformational of all. We cannot blame others for prioritising their own national interests. But this should inspire us to make our own country greater than ever,” he concluded.
