Editor’s Note
The recent agreement between India and the U.S. to reduce tariffs has been met with optimism by Jaipur’s business community, who view it as a sign of India’s growing economic confidence and self-reliance.
The decision to end the six-month-long tariff tensions between India and the US and reduce the tariff rate from 25 percent to 18 percent has sparked a wave of enthusiasm in Jaipur’s business community. Jaipur traders have welcomed this decision, calling it proof of India’s strong global position and self-reliant economy. Traders say this is no longer the India of pre-2014, but a capable, self-reliant, and decisive India.
Subhash Goyal, President of the Jaipur Trade Federation, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that this trade deal will provide new strength to Indian products in the international market. Sectors such as ready-made garments, gems and jewelry, auto parts, leather and footwear, chemicals, steel, seafood, machinery, furniture, agricultural products, and spices will receive special benefits. This will not only increase exports but also give a tremendous boost to domestic production.
Subhash Goyal said that while there has been an atmosphere of business uncertainty over the past few months, Indian traders nevertheless showed restraint and continued to search for alternative markets and new trade sources. This in itself is a major victory for the business class. He said this decision is a strong step towards a developed India, a self-reliant India, and an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
Suresh Saini, General Secretary of the Jaipur Trade Federation, explained that during the tariff dispute, traders across the country, including in Jaipur, promoted the ‘Buy Indian and Sell Indian’ campaign. When tariffs were increased to 50 percent, India’s traders and common people united to respond. Every class seemed to connect with the ‘Swadeshi’ (indigenous) campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is why India is being taken seriously on the global stage today. The decision to reduce the tariff back to 18 percent is a clear sign that this is no longer the India of pre-2014; it is now a self-reliant and capable India.
Federation officials described this as a victory not just for the business class but for the entire India and its citizens. They say this decision reflects India’s economic strength, global credibility, and self-reliant mindset. Traders hope that in the coming times, India-US trade relations will strengthen further and Indian products will establish a new identity in the international market.
