India must stand up to Trump's bullying ways, no matter the price

India must make its economy more outward-oriented but for its own Reasons - not to cater to Trumpian demands

The past week has been a wakeup call for India. Optimistic assumptions of an upward trajectory in India-United States partnership during Donald Trump’s second presidency have been rudely shattered by a 25 per cent tariff on his “friend” India, threats of unspecified penalties for buying oil and weapons from Russia and petroleum products from Iran, and for being a member of Brics Plus. He has also disparaged the Indian economy as a dead weight bound to go down the drain, just as he expects his erstwhile friend Russia to do.  This is no longer a trade and tariff war —