The Hindu Editorial • August 19, 2026 • Read Original

Time to push back: On India and the continuing U.S. pressure

The U.S. has been emboldened to make increasing demands on India

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The Hindu Read Original

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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on August 19, 2026

Time to push back: On India and the continuing U.S. pressure

The U.S. has been emboldened to make increasing demands on India

International Relations India US RelationsTrade TariffsChinese ImportsMake in IndiaEconomic Sovereignty

Sentences

Sentence 1 of 25

English Original

The latest accusation levelled by the United States against India has the potential to be the most harmful to the Indian economy.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The latest accusation by the United States against India

The most recent formal claim or blame made by the U.S. government against India

Part 2

has the to be the most harmful to the Indian economy.

Can possibly cause the greatest damage to India’s financial and business sector

Sentence 2 of 25

English Original

A recent White House report, naming around 40 countries in all, has said that India ranks among the top ‘enablers’ of China’s evasion of U.S. tariffs.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A recent White House report,

A newly published official document from the executive office of the U.S. President

Part 2

naming around 40 countries in all,

Listing approximately 40 different nations across the world in its findings

Part 3

has said that

Has officially stated and highlighted that

Part 4

India ranks among the top ‘’

India stands among the leading countries that make it possible or easier

Part 5

of China’s of U.S. .

For Chinese exporters to escape and bypass the import taxes imposed by America

Context and Background

White House Transshipment Report

In August 2026, the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy released a report titled ‘The Great Transshipment Scam’, accusing over 40 nations of acting as a shadow network enabling Chinese goods to bypass U.S. Section 301 tariffs. India was placed in ‘Tier 1’ alongside economies like Japan, Canada, and the EU, alleging that transshipment and repackaging occur alongside legitimate trade flows.

Sentence 3 of 25

English Original

The accusation is that India and these other countries are importing Chinese goods, making minor modifications to them, and then exporting them to the U.S. at lower tariffs than what Chinese goods would have faced.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The accusation is that

The specific claim or charge being made by the U.S. is that

Part 2

India and these other countries are importing Chinese goods,

India and around 40 other nations are buying and bringing products manufactured in China into their domestic markets

Part 3

making minor modifications to them,

Making only small, superficial changes or basic repackaging to those items

Part 4

and then exporting them to the U.S.

And subsequently shipping and selling those same altered items to the United States

Part 5

at lower tariffs than what Chinese goods would have faced.

Paying significantly reduced customs duties compared to the higher tariffs directly applicable to products originating from China

Sentence 4 of 25

English Original

The fact that Chinese imports form a significant pillar of Indian manufacturing is no secret.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The fact that Chinese imports form a significant of Indian manufacturing

The clear truth that goods brought in from China serve as a crucial foundation and support for India’s industrial production

Part 2

is .

Is widely known, acknowledged, and hidden from nobody

Sentence 5 of 25

English Original

Yet, the nature of these imports is slowly changing.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Yet, the of these imports

However, the specific type, composition, and characteristics of these purchased Chinese goods

Part 2

is slowly changing.

Is gradually undergoing a noticeable shift and transformation

Sentence 6 of 25

English Original

India is gradually moving away from importing finished products, making cosmetic changes, and selling them.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

India is gradually moving away

India is step by step reducing and stopping its earlier practice

Part 2

from importing finished products,

Of buying completely manufactured and assembled end-use goods from abroad

Part 3

making changes,

Carrying out only surface-level, minor, or superficial alterations

Part 4

and selling them.

And re-exporting or trading them directly to customers

Sentence 7 of 25

English Original

Instead, the share of intermediate goods in Indian imports from China has been steadily rising.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Instead,

In contrast to simply importing ready-made finished items

Part 2

the share of in Indian imports from China

The percentage and proportion of semi-finished components and raw parts brought in from China

Part 3

has been steadily rising.

Has been consistently and continuously increasing over time

Sentence 8 of 25

English Original

That is, India is doing much of its own assembly and manufacturing in several sectors now, relying on China and other countries for the parts needed.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

That is,

In other words, to explain this clearly

Part 2

India is doing much of its own assembly and manufacturing

Domestic factories in India are putting together components and producing products locally

Part 3

in several sectors now,

Across various industrial fields such as electronics, smartphones, and automobiles at present

Part 4

China and other countries

Depending on Chinese suppliers and other global manufacturers

Part 5

for the parts needed.

To obtain the necessary sub-components, chips, and raw inputs

Sentence 9 of 25

English Original

This shift is an important step towards full-scale manufacturing in India.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This shift

This transition from importing ready goods to assembling intermediate parts

Part 2

is an important step

Represents a crucial milestone and progressive advancement

Part 3

towards manufacturing in India.

Leading in the direction of complete, end-to-end industrial production within the country

Sentence 10 of 25

English Original

The U.S. has not yet announced punitive actions based on its assessment of apparent Chinese tariff evasion, though that eventuality is conceivable.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The U.S. has not yet announced actions

The United States government has not officially declared any penalties, extra tariffs, or retaliatory measures so far

Part 2

based on its of Chinese tariff evasion,

Relying on its official investigation into alleged attempts by China to bypass American import duties

Part 3

though that is .

Even though such a punitive outcome is entirely possible and imaginable in the future

Sentence 11 of 25

English Original

However, should it do so, India must resist bowing to U.S. pressure on this issue.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

However, should it do so,

Nonetheless, if the United States actually decides to take such punitive trade actions

Part 2

India must bowing

India has an absolute duty to refuse to surrender or submit

Part 3

to U.S. pressure on this issue.

To the demands, coercive tactics, and threats from America regarding Chinese component imports

Sentence 12 of 25

English Original

As even the government has admitted, Chinese imports right now are an important part of the Make in India story.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

As even the government has ,

Just as Indian official authorities and policymakers have themselves publicly acknowledged

Part 2

Chinese imports right now

The supplies and intermediate materials coming from China at present

Part 3

are an important part

Form a necessary, vital, and indispensable component

Part 4

of the story.

Of the country’s domestic manufacturing growth and industrial development program

Context and Background

Economic Survey on Chinese Component Imports

The Indian government, notably in the Economic Survey 2023-24, acknowledged that domestic manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes relies heavily on intermediate components and raw materials from China to scale domestic output efficiently.

Sentence 13 of 25

English Original

The fear of India bowing to U.S. pressure is based on precedent.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The fear of India bowing to U.S. pressure

The concern and anxiety that New Delhi might yield to American demands

Part 2

is based on .

Is rooted in past historical examples and previous instances where India conceded

Sentence 14 of 25

English Original

In his first term as U.S. President, Donald Trump railed against India’s tariffs on high-end motorcycles.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In his first term as U.S. President,

During his initial four-year tenure in the White House (2017-2021)

Part 2

Donald Trump

Donald Trump spoke angrily, complained bitterly, and campaigned loudly against

Part 3

India’s tariffs on motorcycles.

The heavy customs taxes that India charged on expensive luxury motorbikes like Harley-Davidson

Context and Background

Harley-Davidson Tariff Dispute

During his first presidential term (2017-2021), Donald Trump repeatedly criticized India as a ‘tariff king’, specifically targeting the high import duties imposed on American Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which he claimed put U.S. manufacturers at an unfair disadvantage.

Sentence 15 of 25

English Original

In 2018, India cut these tariffs to 50% from the earlier 60%-75%, and then cut them further to 40% in February 2025, before trade deal talks had even started.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In 2018, India cut these tariffs to 50%

In the year 2018, the Indian government reduced the customs duty on imported premium bikes down to 50 percent

Part 2

from the earlier 60%-75%,

Down from the previous higher tax rates of 60 to 75 percent

Part 3

and then cut them further to 40% in February 2025,

And subsequently lowered them even more to 40 percent in the February 2025 Union Budget

Part 4

before talks had even started.

Even before formal bilateral trade negotiations had officially commenced

Sentence 16 of 25

English Original

Similarly, it slashed the import duties on shrimp feed and its components in the February 2024 Budget, a key ask of the U.S.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Similarly, it the import duties

In the same way, the Indian government steeply reduced the customs taxes

Part 2

on shrimp feed and its components

On imported commercial food, nutrients, and raw ingredients used for prawn farming

Part 3

in the February 2024 Budget,

During the presentation of the Union Budget in February 2024

Part 4

a of the U.S.

Which had been a major demand and negotiation priority of the American government

Sentence 17 of 25

English Original

It did the same with tariffs on frozen duck and turkey.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

It did the same

The Indian government offered an identical duty reduction concession

Part 2

with tariffs on frozen duck and turkey.

Regarding customs taxes on imported frozen poultry meat items from the United States

Context and Background

WTO Poultry Dispute Settlement

In September 2023, during the G20 Summit, India and the U.S. resolved their final WTO dispute regarding agricultural imports, with India agreeing to slash customs tariffs on American frozen turkey and duck down to 5% from previous rates of 30-45%.

Sentence 18 of 25

English Original

The pressure of the 50% punitive tariffs pushed India to diversify away from Russian oil, despite India’s strident claims of energy sovereignty and the discount it was receiving.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The pressure of the 50% punitive tariffs

The heavy economic strain and threat caused by America’s 50 percent retaliatory penalty taxes

Part 2

pushed India to Russian oil,

Forced India to reduce its crude purchases from Moscow and seek supplies from alternative countries

Part 3

despite India’s claims of

In spite of New Delhi’s strong, assertive public declarations that it has the independent right to buy energy from anywhere

Part 4

and the discount it was receiving.

And despite the substantial price cuts and cheap rates offered by Russia

Context and Background

U.S. Punitive Tariffs over Russian Crude

In late 2025, the U.S. imposed punitive tariffs of up to 50% on select Indian goods to penalize New Delhi for purchasing discounted Russian crude oil during the Ukraine conflict, temporarily compelling Indian refiners to reduce Russian imports despite India’s assertions of strategic autonomy.

Sentence 19 of 25

English Original

Russia’s share in India’s oil imports fell to below 20% in January 2026, from nearly double that when the 50% tariffs were imposed six months earlier.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Russia’s share in India’s oil imports

The total proportion and percentage of crude petroleum that India bought from Russia

Part 2

fell to below 20% in January 2026,

Dropped down to less than one-fifth of India’s overall oil purchases in January 2026

Part 3

from nearly double that

Down from close to 40 percent (almost twice that amount)

Part 4

when the 50% tariffs were six months earlier.

At the time when the U.S. first introduced the 50 percent penalty duties half a year prior

Sentence 20 of 25

English Original

This had happened with Venezuelan oil in 2019 as well.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This had happened

An identical pattern of succumbing to American pressure and stopping oil purchases occurred

Part 2

with Venezuelan oil in 2019 as well.

In the case of crude petroleum bought from Venezuela during the year 2019 too

Context and Background

2019 U.S. Sanctions on Venezuelan Oil

In 2019, under the Trump administration’s secondary sanctions on the Nicolás Maduro government, Indian refiners like Reliance Industries completely stopped buying crude oil from Venezuela, which had previously accounted for 5-7% of India’s oil imports.

Sentence 21 of 25

English Original

It was the West Asia crisis, and the U.S.’s temporary reprieve, that has seen India turning back to Russian oil.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

It was the West Asia crisis,

It was primarily the geopolitical conflict and shipping disruptions in the Middle East

Part 2

and the U.S.’s temporary ,

Along with the short-term relaxation and temporary waiver of enforcement granted by Washington

Part 3

that has seen India turning back

That ultimately resulted in India returning once again

Part 4

to Russian oil.

To importing discounted crude petroleum from Moscow

Context and Background

West Asia Energy Crisis and U.S. Waivers

In 2026, shipping disruptions and escalating conflicts in West Asia threatened global crude supplies, leading Washington to issue temporary sanctions reprieves to prevent price spikes, which allowed Indian refiners to safely scale up Russian crude purchases once again.

Sentence 22 of 25

English Original

Allowing FDI in the e-commerce inventory model, as India recently did, was something Amazon had been lobbying for for a decade, and a dilution of India’s long-held stance.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Allowing in the e-commerce ,

Permitting foreign direct investment in online retail systems where companies can own and manage their own product stocks

Part 2

as India recently did,

Just as the Indian government officially approved through recent policy changes

Part 3

was something Amazon had been for a decade,

Was a specific concession that U.S. tech giant Amazon had been vigorously requesting and campaigning for over the past ten years

Part 4

and a of India’s long-held stance.

And represented a clear softening and compromise of the country’s traditional regulatory policy

Context and Background

FDI in E-Commerce Inventory Model

In July 2026, the Indian government issued Press Note 3 (2026 Series) permitting 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under the automatic route for inventory-based e-commerce operations exclusively meant for exports, relaxing a decade-long restriction that previously barred foreign-funded platforms like Amazon and Walmart from holding inventory.

Sentence 23 of 25

English Original

The U.S. can wield immense pressure and so concessions are understandable.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The U.S. can pressure

The United States possesses the global economic and geopolitical power to exert enormous coercion

Part 2

and so are understandable.

And therefore giving up certain demands or offering compromises can be logically understood

Sentence 24 of 25

English Original

But that has emboldened it to make increasing demands.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

But that has it

However, India’s repeated yielding has given Washington the extra confidence and audacity

Part 2

to make increasing demands.

To continuously press for more concessions, strict terms, and trade conditions

Sentence 25 of 25

English Original

India needs to start pushing back.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

India needs to start .

New Delhi must begin firmly resisting, standing its ground, and challenging excessive American trade demands

Sentence 1 of 25

Sentences Breakdown

Editorial Summary

5-Point Summary

1 The U.S. has accused India and around 40 other nations of enabling China to evade American trade tariffs through transshipment and minor modifications.
2 While India heavily imports Chinese components, the nature of these imports has shifted from finished products to intermediate goods essential for domestic manufacturing.
3 Past precedents show that India has repeatedly offered trade and policy concessions under American pressure, including duty cuts on motorcycles and agricultural items.
4 Similar American pressure previously forced India to curtail discounted crude oil imports from Russia and Venezuela, undermining its energy sovereignty.
5 Repeated concessions have only encouraged greater demands from the U.S., making it imperative for India to firmly resist unilateral coercion and protect its core interests.

Tone of the Editorial

critical

Why this tone?

The editorial strongly questions and criticizes India’s recurring pattern of yielding to unilateral American trade pressures. Through terms like ‘railed against’, ‘dilution of India’s long-held stance’, and ‘emboldened to make increasing demands’, the author cautions New Delhi against compromising domestic economic sovereignty and urges a firm pushback.

Sentence 1 of 25

The latest accusation levelled by the United States against India has the potential to be the most harmful to the Indian economy.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The latest accusation levelled by the United States against India

The most recent formal claim or blame made by the U.S. government against India

Part 2

has the potential to be the most harmful to the Indian economy.

Can possibly cause the greatest damage to India’s financial and business sector

Sentence 2 of 25

A recent White House report, naming around 40 countries in all, has said that India ranks among the top ‘enablers’ of China’s evasion of U.S. tariffs.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A recent White House report,

A newly published official document from the executive office of the U.S. President

Part 2

naming around 40 countries in all,

Listing approximately 40 different nations across the world in its findings

Part 3

has said that

Has officially stated and highlighted that

Part 4

India ranks among the top ‘enablers’

India stands among the leading countries that make it possible or easier

Part 5

of China’s evasion of U.S. tariffs.

For Chinese exporters to escape and bypass the import taxes imposed by America

Sentence 3 of 25

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The accusation is that

The specific claim or charge being made by the U.S. is that

Part 2

India and these other countries are importing Chinese goods,

India and around 40 other nations are buying and bringing products manufactured in China into their domestic markets

Part 3

making minor modifications to them,

Making only small, superficial changes or basic repackaging to those items

Part 4

and then exporting them to the U.S.

And subsequently shipping and selling those same altered items to the United States

Part 5

at lower tariffs than what Chinese goods would have faced.

Paying significantly reduced customs duties compared to the higher tariffs directly applicable to products originating from China

Sentence 4 of 25

The fact that Chinese imports form a significant pillar of Indian manufacturing is no secret.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The fact that Chinese imports form a significant pillar of Indian manufacturing

The clear truth that goods brought in from China serve as a crucial foundation and support for India’s industrial production

Part 2

is no secret.

Is widely known, acknowledged, and hidden from nobody

Sentence 5 of 25

Yet, the nature of these imports is slowly changing.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Yet, the nature of these imports

However, the specific type, composition, and characteristics of these purchased Chinese goods

Part 2

is slowly changing.

Is gradually undergoing a noticeable shift and transformation

Sentence 6 of 25

India is gradually moving away from importing finished products, making cosmetic changes, and selling them.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

India is gradually moving away

India is step by step reducing and stopping its earlier practice

Part 2

from importing finished products,

Of buying completely manufactured and assembled end-use goods from abroad

Part 3

making cosmetic changes,

Carrying out only surface-level, minor, or superficial alterations

Part 4

and selling them.

And re-exporting or trading them directly to customers

Sentence 7 of 25

Instead, the share of intermediate goods in Indian imports from China has been steadily rising.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Instead,

In contrast to simply importing ready-made finished items

Part 2

the share of intermediate goods in Indian imports from China

The percentage and proportion of semi-finished components and raw parts brought in from China

Part 3

has been steadily rising.

Has been consistently and continuously increasing over time

Sentence 8 of 25

That is, India is doing much of its own assembly and manufacturing in several sectors now, relying on China and other countries for the parts needed.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

That is,

In other words, to explain this clearly

Part 2

India is doing much of its own assembly and manufacturing

Domestic factories in India are putting together components and producing products locally

Part 3

in several sectors now,

Across various industrial fields such as electronics, smartphones, and automobiles at present

Part 4

relying on China and other countries

Depending on Chinese suppliers and other global manufacturers

Part 5

for the parts needed.

To obtain the necessary sub-components, chips, and raw inputs

Sentence 9 of 25

This shift is an important step towards full-scale manufacturing in India.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This shift

This transition from importing ready goods to assembling intermediate parts

Part 2

is an important step

Represents a crucial milestone and progressive advancement

Part 3

towards full-scale manufacturing in India.

Leading in the direction of complete, end-to-end industrial production within the country

Sentence 10 of 25

The U.S. has not yet announced punitive actions based on its assessment of apparent Chinese tariff evasion, though that eventuality is conceivable.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The U.S. has not yet announced punitive actions

The United States government has not officially declared any penalties, extra tariffs, or retaliatory measures so far

Part 2

based on its assessment of apparent Chinese tariff evasion,

Relying on its official investigation into alleged attempts by China to bypass American import duties

Part 3

though that eventuality is conceivable.

Even though such a punitive outcome is entirely possible and imaginable in the future

Sentence 11 of 25

However, should it do so, India must resist bowing to U.S. pressure on this issue.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

However, should it do so,

Nonetheless, if the United States actually decides to take such punitive trade actions

Part 2

India must resist bowing

India has an absolute duty to refuse to surrender or submit

Part 3

to U.S. pressure on this issue.

To the demands, coercive tactics, and threats from America regarding Chinese component imports

Sentence 12 of 25

As even the government has admitted, Chinese imports right now are an important part of the Make in India story.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

As even the government has admitted,

Just as Indian official authorities and policymakers have themselves publicly acknowledged

Part 2

Chinese imports right now

The supplies and intermediate materials coming from China at present

Part 3

are an important part

Form a necessary, vital, and indispensable component

Part 4

of the Make in India story.

Of the country’s domestic manufacturing growth and industrial development program

Sentence 13 of 25

The fear of India bowing to U.S. pressure is based on precedent.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The fear of India bowing to U.S. pressure

The concern and anxiety that New Delhi might yield to American demands

Part 2

is based on precedent.

Is rooted in past historical examples and previous instances where India conceded

Sentence 14 of 25

In his first term as U.S. President, Donald Trump railed against India’s tariffs on high-end motorcycles.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In his first term as U.S. President,

During his initial four-year tenure in the White House (2017-2021)

Part 2

Donald Trump railed against

Donald Trump spoke angrily, complained bitterly, and campaigned loudly against

Part 3

India’s tariffs on high-end motorcycles.

The heavy customs taxes that India charged on expensive luxury motorbikes like Harley-Davidson

Sentence 15 of 25

In 2018, India cut these tariffs to 50% from the earlier 60%-75%, and then cut them further to 40% in February 2025, before trade deal talks had even started.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In 2018, India cut these tariffs to 50%

In the year 2018, the Indian government reduced the customs duty on imported premium bikes down to 50 percent

Part 2

from the earlier 60%-75%,

Down from the previous higher tax rates of 60 to 75 percent

Part 3

and then cut them further to 40% in February 2025,

And subsequently lowered them even more to 40 percent in the February 2025 Union Budget

Part 4

before trade deal talks had even started.

Even before formal bilateral trade negotiations had officially commenced

Sentence 16 of 25

Similarly, it slashed the import duties on shrimp feed and its components in the February 2024 Budget, a key ask of the U.S.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Similarly, it slashed the import duties

In the same way, the Indian government steeply reduced the customs taxes

Part 2

on shrimp feed and its components

On imported commercial food, nutrients, and raw ingredients used for prawn farming

Part 3

in the February 2024 Budget,

During the presentation of the Union Budget in February 2024

Part 4

a key ask of the U.S.

Which had been a major demand and negotiation priority of the American government

Sentence 17 of 25

It did the same with tariffs on frozen duck and turkey.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

It did the same

The Indian government offered an identical duty reduction concession

Part 2

with tariffs on frozen duck and turkey.

Regarding customs taxes on imported frozen poultry meat items from the United States

Sentence 18 of 25

The pressure of the 50% punitive tariffs pushed India to diversify away from Russian oil, despite India’s strident claims of energy sovereignty and the discount it was receiving.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The pressure of the 50% punitive tariffs

The heavy economic strain and threat caused by America’s 50 percent retaliatory penalty taxes

Part 2

pushed India to diversify away from Russian oil,

Forced India to reduce its crude purchases from Moscow and seek supplies from alternative countries

Part 3

despite India’s strident claims of energy sovereignty

In spite of New Delhi’s strong, assertive public declarations that it has the independent right to buy energy from anywhere

Part 4

and the discount it was receiving.

And despite the substantial price cuts and cheap rates offered by Russia

Sentence 19 of 25

Russia’s share in India’s oil imports fell to below 20% in January 2026, from nearly double that when the 50% tariffs were imposed six months earlier.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Russia’s share in India’s oil imports

The total proportion and percentage of crude petroleum that India bought from Russia

Part 2

fell to below 20% in January 2026,

Dropped down to less than one-fifth of India’s overall oil purchases in January 2026

Part 3

from nearly double that

Down from close to 40 percent (almost twice that amount)

Part 4

when the 50% tariffs were imposed six months earlier.

At the time when the U.S. first introduced the 50 percent penalty duties half a year prior

Sentence 20 of 25

This had happened with Venezuelan oil in 2019 as well.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This had happened

An identical pattern of succumbing to American pressure and stopping oil purchases occurred

Part 2

with Venezuelan oil in 2019 as well.

In the case of crude petroleum bought from Venezuela during the year 2019 too

Sentence 21 of 25

It was the West Asia crisis, and the U.S.’s temporary reprieve, that has seen India turning back to Russian oil.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

It was the West Asia crisis,

It was primarily the geopolitical conflict and shipping disruptions in the Middle East

Part 2

and the U.S.’s temporary reprieve,

Along with the short-term relaxation and temporary waiver of enforcement granted by Washington

Part 3

that has seen India turning back

That ultimately resulted in India returning once again

Part 4

to Russian oil.

To importing discounted crude petroleum from Moscow

Sentence 22 of 25

Allowing FDI in the e-commerce inventory model, as India recently did, was something Amazon had been lobbying for for a decade, and a dilution of India’s long-held stance.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Allowing FDI in the e-commerce inventory model,

Permitting foreign direct investment in online retail systems where companies can own and manage their own product stocks

Part 2

as India recently did,

Just as the Indian government officially approved through recent policy changes

Part 3

was something Amazon had been lobbying for for a decade,

Was a specific concession that U.S. tech giant Amazon had been vigorously requesting and campaigning for over the past ten years

Part 4

and a dilution of India’s long-held stance.

And represented a clear softening and compromise of the country’s traditional regulatory policy

Sentence 23 of 25

The U.S. can wield immense pressure and so concessions are understandable.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The U.S. can wield immense pressure

The United States possesses the global economic and geopolitical power to exert enormous coercion

Part 2

and so concessions are understandable.

And therefore giving up certain demands or offering compromises can be logically understood

Sentence 24 of 25

But that has emboldened it to make increasing demands.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

But that has emboldened it

However, India’s repeated yielding has given Washington the extra confidence and audacity

Part 2

to make increasing demands.

To continuously press for more concessions, strict terms, and trade conditions

Sentence 25 of 25

India needs to start pushing back.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

India needs to start pushing back.

New Delhi must begin firmly resisting, standing its ground, and challenging excessive American trade demands

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - Time to Push Back on India and Continuing US Pressure

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about U.S. tariff evasion accusations against India and past trade concessions.

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