Rakesh Joshi

The 10 per cent tariff that the US has imposed on India and several other countries over their imports of goods supposedly made using forced labour has set the Modi government rethinking on various counts. Is it an attempt to restore permanent tariffs after the US Supreme Court’s decision in February 2026 removed the threat of high reciprocal tariffs to arm-twist countries into trade deals?

Two-and-a-half years ago, the Supreme Court of India recorded the Union government’s solemn assurance that statehood would be restored to Jammu & Kashmir. It set no timeline, but the expectation was that it would happen within a reasonable period and steps would be taken progressively.