US Waives 100% Tariff on Select Indian Speciality Drugs; 20 Nations Eligible

US Waives Tariffs on Specialty Drugs from 20 Nations Including India Under Section 232

The US has exempted specific specialty drugs and ingredients from a 100% tariff for 20 countries, including India, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. This strategic move aims to boost domestic production while protecting critical supply chains for rare disease treatments, giving Indian pharma exporters a key advantage.

US Imposes 100% Tariff on India Pharma Exports from 2028, Impact on $150 Bn Trade

Trump's unilateral tariff actions on Indian pharmaceutical exports (100% from 2028, rising to 200%) and use of Sections 301, 232, and 338 expose the fragility of ongoing India-US trade negotiations. Despite $150 billion bilateral trade and India's surplus, no signed agreement seems safe. India should prioritize trade diversification towards the UK and EU.

U.S. Enforces 100% Pharma Tariff, Exempts Rare-Disease Drugs from India & 19 Others

The U.S. is imposing a 100% tariff on patented pharmaceuticals to boost domestic production, but exempts certain specialty drugs—including those for rare diseases and infertility—from 20 countries, including India. This impacts India's pharma exports and highlights the strategic use of Section 232 tariffs.

India's UPI Diplomacy: Zero-Cost DPI Exports to 24 Nations Builds Strategic Influence & Global South Leadership

India is exporting its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) – including UPI and India Stack – to 24 countries, positioning itself as the Global South's reference model. Unlike Western private platforms or China's state-controlled exports, India offers these systems at no charge with full local ownership. This article examines whether this 'goodwill diplomacy' can translate into durable strategic influence, or whether influence ultimately requires something a partner fears to lose.

World Bank Report: Only 4.5% Jobs in Low-Income Countries Exposed to AI vs 14.2% in Rich Nations

A World Bank report reveals that AI poses a smaller threat to jobs in developing economies like India (4.5% exposure) compared to rich nations (14.2%). However, sectors reliant on outsourcing (call centers, back-office) face job losses. The report advises focusing on small language models (SLMs) for agriculture, education, and healthcare to avoid over-dependence on the US or China.

India-U.S. Trade Pact: Exporters Urge Early Conclusion, Tariff Uncertainty Hits Orders, Trade Surplus Narrows to $33.9 Bn

The Commerce Ministry met exporters to discuss India-U.S. trade performance and market access issues amidst ongoing bilateral trade agreement (BTA) negotiations. Exporters urged early conclusion of the pact to reduce tariff uncertainties, as U.S. buyers have reduced order volumes. The meeting also flagged concerns over U.S. safeguard measures on quartz surface products.

India Achieves Tariff Parity on Textile Exports with Bangladesh, Vietnam; Nine FTAs Cover $60 Trillion GDP

India's textile industry can no longer blame tariffs for poor export performance as Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced that India now enjoys tariff parity or advantage over competitors like Bangladesh and Vietnam in most developed markets, thanks to an expanding network of FTAs covering $60 trillion GDP.

Russia Accounts for 51% of India's Oil Imports in July 2026; US House Passes 100% Tariff Bill

India's reliance on Russian oil hit a record high of 51% in July 2026, even as the US House passed a bill to impose 100% tariffs on countries importing Russian oil. This poses a strategic dilemma for India's energy security and foreign policy.