Key Points

Speaking during a panel discussion at the Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI)'s 12th Annual Forum, Reddy stated that the tariffs would not impact India, but would have a reverse effect.

"Such a system will not work for long... There was one such Trump in Telangana, and the people removed him... This problem will be temporary. Soon, we will overcome it. It will not impact our economy, but will affect theirs. If they hesitate to issue visas or admit Indians, those institutes will come to India. I spoke to Harvard and Stanford... We are going to give place to the best universities of the US... One day, he says that PM Modi is his friend, and another day, he says that he is going to impose 50% tariffs... Such things will not go on for long..." Reddy said during the panel.

New Delhi is facing global uncertainties due to heightened economic tensions following the US imposition of a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, including an additional 25 per cent due to its purchase of Russian crude oil, which, according to Washington, fuels Moscow's efforts in its conflict with Ukraine.

Additionally, according to a report published a day earlier by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), India's exports to the United States have fallen for the third month in August.

"Exports in August dropped sharply to USD 6.7 billion, marking a 16.3 per cent fall from July. This was the steepest monthly decline of 2025. The fall came after the U.S. doubled duties on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 50 per cent on August 27. Earlier in the month, on August 7, tariffs had already risen from 10 per cent to 25 per cent," the report said.

- ANI