Sri Lankan MP Harsha de Silva has spoken out in support of India amid its trade dispute with the United States. He addressed Parliament, urging colleagues not to mock India over the 50% tariff imposed by Washington. He reminded them of New Delhi’s critical role during Sri Lanka’s severe economic crisis.
“Don’t laugh at India. Don’t mock them when they are down because when we were down, they were the only ones to lend us a hand,” de Silva said. He warned that India’s position should not be underestimated, adding, “It ain’t over until the fat lady sings. We witnessed you laughing. Don’t laugh. India expected the tariffs to come down to 15%, and so did we.”
Posting a clip of his speech on X, the MP wrote that he had called out the government for ridiculing India’s bold stand against President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs. He praised India as a “true ally” that deserved honour and support, not mockery.
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On August 6, US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods. This move followed his criticism of New Delhi’s oil trade with Moscow. The latest measure pushed the total tariff rate on Indian exports to US to 50%. The additional duties will take effect on August 27.
Trump’s decision has intensified tensions between Washington and India. India has described the step as unfair and politically motivated.
The Ministry of External Affairs responded firmly. It said that the US had targeted India’s oil imports from Russia despite similar actions by other countries. It stressed that India’s purchases were based on market factors and aimed at ensuring energy security for 1.4 billion people.
The ministry called the US decision “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” It reiterated that several nations, including the US and European Union members, also import Russian oil. It warned that India would take all necessary measures to protect its national interest.
De Silva’s remarks carry a larger message about regional alliances. He believes that when external forces threaten the economies of Asian nations, they should unite. By defending India, he highlighted the importance of neighbourly respect and the role that shared resilience plays in global economic crises.
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