Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​End in sight: On the U.S.-India trade deal, America’s tariffs

​End in sight: On the U.S.-India trade deal, America’s tariffs

The U.S. trade deal gives hope that the tariffs ordeal (कठिन अनुभव, अग्निपरीक्षा) may be over soon

News of the India-United States trade deal has brought palpable (स्पष्ट, जो महसूस किया जा सके) relief to a lot of Indian industries, but it also comes with persistent (निरंतर, लगातार बना रहने वाला ) and important questions that remain unanswered despite (के बावजूद) a press statement by India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The initial announcement, through social media, while true to U.S. President Donald Trump’s form, also marks a departure for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Past trade deal announcements have all been made through more formal channels. The announcement of U.S. tariffs on Indian imports being cut to 18% from the existing 50% is certainly welcome (स्वागत योग्य, सुखद). However, as of now, there is no clarity on when this would be implemented. While Mr. Trump said they would be cut “immediately”, Mr. Goyal said that the details will be shared “soon”. There is also considerable (काफी, महत्वपूर्ण मात्रा में) ambiguity (अस्पष्टता, अनिश्चितता) over whether this is the first tranche (A portion or stage of a larger deal) or ‘mini-deal’ of a larger Bilateral Trade Agreement, a limited deal affecting only tariffs, or something in between. Mr. Trump’s assertion (दावा, दृढ़ कथन) that Mr. Modi has “agreed to stop buying Russian oil” must also be addressed (Dealt with or responded to) by the Indian government sooner rather than later. Mr. Goyal did not touch upon (संक्षेप में चर्चा करना) this in his statement. Stopping Russian oil entirely would not only force India to find alternatives for about a third of its oil imports but would also cast a shadow over its relations with Russia, which is a long-time friend and critical (अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण, निर्णायक) supplier of defence equipment. Such a move would announce a very definite realignment for India and, in that light (When seen from that perspective), deserves to be discussed in Parliament first. Similarly, buying more Venezuelan crude comes with its own refining challenges.

There is also the question of what India has committed to (Agreed or pledged to do something) the U.S. in terms of tariff concessions, investments and purchase orders. Apart from making the assurance that sensitive agricultural items and dairy would be excluded, the government has been silent despite several significant assertions being made by Mr. Trump and his team. While the “final stages of detailing” are still to be completed, as Mr. Goyal has said, the light at the end of the tunnel has already buoyed Indian stock markets, bolstered the rupee, and brought especial cheer to labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, footwear, leather and engineering goods that had been hurting from the 50% tariffs. These sectors already stand to gain from the India-European Union trade deal, which Mr. Goyal has assured will come into effect this year. The tariffs they will face in the U.S. will likely still be slightly higher than those enjoyed by competitors in the South-East Asian countries due to their Most-Favoured Nation status. Yet, the new deal stands to certainly enhance their competitiveness, and the targeted announcements in the Union Budget 2026 should also help bridge this narrower gap.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Ordeal (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – कठिन अनुभव, अग्निपरीक्षा
English Meaning – A long and difficult experience.

2.Palpable (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning – स्पष्ट, जो महसूस किया जा सके
English Meaning – Clearly felt or noticeable.

3.Persistent (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning – निरंतर, लगातार बना रहने वाला
English Meaning – Continuing despite efforts to end it.

4.Despite (Preposition)

Hindi Meaning – के बावजूद
English Meaning – In spite of.

5.Welcome (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning – स्वागत योग्य, सुखद
English Meaning – Viewed positively or with approval.

6.Considerable (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning – काफी, महत्वपूर्ण मात्रा में
English Meaning – Fairly large or significant.

7.Ambiguity (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – अस्पष्टता, अनिश्चितता
English Meaning – Lack of clarity or certainty.

8.Assertion (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – दावा, दृढ़ कथन
English Meaning – A confident statement presented as fact.

9.Touch upon (Phrasal verb)

Hindi Meaning – संक्षेप में चर्चा करना
English Meaning – Mention briefly.

10.Critical (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning – अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण, निर्णायक
English Meaning – Crucial, vital, or essential.

11.In that light (Phrase)

English Meaning – When seen from that perspective.

12.Committed to (Phrasal verb)

English Meaning – Agreed or pledged to do something.

13.End in sight (Idiomatic phrase)

English Meaning – A solution or conclusion appears close.

14.Tranche (Noun)

English Meaning – A portion or stage of a larger deal.

15.Addressed (Verb)

English Meaning – Dealt with or responded to.