'Long-Term Game': Amitabh Kant Explains Why India Shouldn't Succumb To US Tariff Pressure

Amitabh Kant, former chief executive officer of NITI Aayog, spoke about the importance of India standing its ground in the face of "Trumpian tariffs", and said that the country should not give in to the pressure exerted by the United States.

"India should never succumb to pressure from the US," Kant said, adding that if the country compromises on its energy security and strategic autonomy, then it will keep succumbing.

Kant underlined that its crucial for India to win the "long-term game". US President Donald Trump's policy may upset the dynamics for the near-term, but a "long term, mutually productive and constructive partnership will be critical", he underlined.

Kant, during his conversation with NDTV Profit, emphasised the significance of using this particular crisis—triggered by Trump's imposition of 50% tariffs—for India's benefit, to "galvanize ourselves" and bring in radical reforms.

"This is a once in a generation opportunity and we should use it to bring in radical reforms in all sectors of our economy," Kant stated.

Some of the other potential reforms he highlighted include, making the Goods and Services Tax or GST "very simple", along with simplification of personal tax, and reduction of taxes on inputs and components "to become an integral part of global value chains", and finally cleaning up cities.

He also spoke about the recent S&P Global rating upgrades and said that "we should aim for higher upgrades" and that the "S&Ps of the world need to recognise India's potential".