JIH President, Syed Sadatullah Husaini, calls for balanced foreign policy and negotia
JIH President, Syed Sadatullah Husaini, calls for balanced foreign policy and negotiated ?resolution of tariff dispute with the US?
M.U.H
10/08/202522
New Delhi: The President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Syed Sadatullah Husaini, has expressed deep concern over the recent announcement by US President Donald Trump to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, raising the total tariff rate to 50%. He described the decision as unwarranted and selectively punitive towards India, noting that it is detrimental not only to the Indian economy but also to the US economy and the stability of global trade.
In a statement to the media, the JIH President said, “It is unacceptable that India is being singled out for punitive measures while other countries, including the European Union, continue to import goods and energy from Russia without facing similar treatment. Every country has the sovereign right to formulate its own foreign, trade, and economic policies. Attempts to force compliance through coercive economic tactics are part of a dangerous imperialist project that undermines global cooperation.”
Highlighting the economic fallout of the US move, the JIH President noted that the proposed 50% tariff would cause severe disruptions to trade, especially for small and medium enterprises in labour-intensive sectors like textiles, carpets, and food exports. “Such a steep tariff will not only hurt exporters but will also result in the loss of livelihoods for thousands of workers. It will negatively affect US consumers as well, who will face higher prices and fewer product choices.” he said.
The JIH President warned that the crisis underscores the risks of inward-looking economic strategies becoming tools of geopolitical coercion. “While protectionist policies may initially aim to safeguard domestic industries, they can quickly transform into instruments for exerting international pressure. As more countries prioritise national security considerations over pure economic efficiency, the rules-based international trading order faces fragmentation. This will have serious long-term implications for global prosperity and cooperation,” he observed.
He urged the Government of India to draw lessons from this crisis and reassess its diplomatic approach. “This is a moment for India to recalibrate its foreign policy. Imperialist powers have never been — and can never be —loyal friends to any nation that upholds its sovereignty and dignity. We must not compromise on our principled positions in pursuit of their approval or friendship. India should return to a balanced, non-aligned stance, rather than aligning excessively with the United States or other imperialist forces. The current one-sided tilt has failed to serve our national interests and is proving harmful both economically and diplomatically.”
On India’s immediate response, he stressed the need for a multi-pronged strategy:
(1) Trade diversification: “We must deepen our economic ties with partners such as Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and Australia. Expanding engagement with ASEAN, BRICS, and other regional blocs will help buffer against such external shocks.”
(2) Strengthening Alternative Economic Powers: India must assume an active leadership role in strengthening alternative economic groupings such as BRICS, ensuring a balanced distribution of power in the global economic arena. This is the only way to ensure that no single country can wield undue influence to coerce other independent nations or infringe upon their sovereign rights..
(3) Domestic economic resilience: “India may need to adopt targeted economic and monetary measures to support domestic activities. The domestic economy—particularly the labour-intensive manufacturing and agrarian sectors—should be strengthened in such a way as to reduce dependence on major economic powers. Fiscal consolidation should be balanced with increased capital expenditure to enhance infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, and human capital.”
Concluding his statement, he urged policymakers to use this challenge as a wake-up call for deeper domestic reforms: “India must address its manufacturing weaknesses, improve the ease of doing business, invest in skills, and reduce logistical costs. A resilient economy is the best safeguard against external economic coercion. The government must also pursue a principled, independent, and balanced foreign policy that protects our economic sovereignty while contributing to a fairer global trading system.”
