Thursday, March 19, 2026
21.1 C
New Delhi

Finance Ministry Says India Can Absorb US Tariff Shock, Bets On Strong Fundamentals

While near-term risks to economic activity, principally exports and capital formation remain due to tariff-related uncertainties, the government and the private sector, acting in tandem and concert, can keep the disruptions to a minimum, the Finance Ministry’s ‘Monthly Economic Review’ said on Wednesday.

Going ahead, the robust macroeconomic fundamentals continue to bolster the resilience of the Indian economy.

“Setbacks eventually make us stronger and more agile, if handled properly. If the near-term economic pain is absorbed more by those who have the ability and the financial strength to do so, then small and medium enterprises in downstream industries will emerge stronger from the trade imbroglio. Now is the time to demonstrate an understanding of national interest,” according to the ‘Monthly Economic Review July 2025’.

The government’s recent policy initiatives, including the setting up of a Task Force for Next-Generation Reforms and the forthcoming GST reforms, deregulation initiatives of the States, coupled with the sovereign rating upgrade, are set to reduce borrowing costs, attract foreign capital, and bolster investment and consumption.

“These reforms mark the beginning of an accelerated phase of governance transformation, ensuring that India extends its own line of progress, becoming more resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive in an era of rising global economic self-interest,” the Review further stated.

The US administration has imposted a hefty 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, a move touted as the ‘economic blackmail’.

According to the Economic Review, robust macroeconomic performance and sound fundamentals over the past few years have earned India a well-deserved sovereign rating upgrade by the S&P credit rating agency to ‘BBB’.

“The rating upgrade underscores India’s resilient growth, anchored inflation expectations, and stronger credit metrics, underpinned by fiscal consolidation and improved quality of spending. Building on the growth momentum gained during Q1 of FY26, the Indian economy continues to reflect resilience in July 2025,” it noted.

Record e-way bill generation and a 16-month high in PMI manufacturing point to robust business activity. Further, the stronger expansion in the services PMI indicates growth in the services activity. Domestic demand remained buoyant, as reflected in FMCG sales, UPI transactions, and vehicle sales, supported by strong rural consumption, strengthening urban demand and favourable monsoon conditions.

Forward-looking surveys of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) signal broad-based improvements in business conditions, with rising capacity utilisation, stable inventories, and optimistic expectations across manufacturing, services, and infrastructure, underscoring sustained confidence in economic activity.

Fiscal performance during Q1 of FY26 reflects a strong capex push, with robust growth in capital expenditure alongside healthy revenue growth driven primarily by non-tax receipts.

In July 2025, India’s total exports (goods and services) recorded a growth rate of 4.5 per cent (YoY), driven primarily by a 12.7 per cent growth (YoY) in core merchandise exports.

As of August 08, 2025, the foreign exchange reserves stand at a comfortable level of $695.1 billion, providing an import cover of 11.4 months.

“In the dynamic global trade landscape, India has adopted a calibrated approach to negotiating FTAs, aiming to expand market access while protecting domestic interests. Recently, two major agreements, the India-UK CETA and the India-EFTA TEPA, have been concluded, and negotiations continue with a few other nations,” said the Economic Review.

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

Go to Source

Hot this week

D Gukesh going through a similar phase as Rocky Balboa: Indian GM and chess coach Srinath Narayanan

In an exclusive conversation, chess coach Srinath Narayanan reflects on reigning world champion D Gukesh’s loss of form that has spanned more than a year now, comparing him with a famous Hollywood character besides sharing advice that might hel Read More

US Weighs Deploying Thousands Of Troops For Iran War As Trump Considers Expanding Ops: Report

The US military is preparing for possible next steps in its campaign against Iran as Trump weighs expanding operations with the war well into its third week. Read More

Chaitra Navratri 2026: Wishes, Images And WhatsApp Status To Share

Chaitra Navratri begins on March 19. Share heartfelt wishes, greetings, quotes and WhatsApp status messages with friends and family to celebrate the nine sacred days of Maa Durga. Read More

Happy Gudi Padwa 2026: Top 50 Marathi New Year Wishes, Messages, Quotes, Facebook, Instagram & WhatsApp Status

Happy Gudi Padwa Images 2026: Here are some beautiful Marathi New Year wishes, greeting and quotes that you can share on with your loved ones. Read More

Happy Ugadi 2026: Wishes, Images, Quotes And WhatsApp Status For Telugu New Year

Happy Ugadi 2026 Wishes, Images: Here are some beautiful Ugadi wishes, images, greeting and quotes that you can share with your family, friends, and colleagues on Telugu New Year. Read More

Topics

D Gukesh going through a similar phase as Rocky Balboa: Indian GM and chess coach Srinath Narayanan

In an exclusive conversation, chess coach Srinath Narayanan reflects on reigning world champion D Gukesh’s loss of form that has spanned more than a year now, comparing him with a famous Hollywood character besides sharing advice that might hel Read More

US Weighs Deploying Thousands Of Troops For Iran War As Trump Considers Expanding Ops: Report

The US military is preparing for possible next steps in its campaign against Iran as Trump weighs expanding operations with the war well into its third week. Read More

Chaitra Navratri 2026: Wishes, Images And WhatsApp Status To Share

Chaitra Navratri begins on March 19. Share heartfelt wishes, greetings, quotes and WhatsApp status messages with friends and family to celebrate the nine sacred days of Maa Durga. Read More

Happy Gudi Padwa 2026: Top 50 Marathi New Year Wishes, Messages, Quotes, Facebook, Instagram & WhatsApp Status

Happy Gudi Padwa Images 2026: Here are some beautiful Marathi New Year wishes, greeting and quotes that you can share on with your loved ones. Read More

Happy Ugadi 2026: Wishes, Images, Quotes And WhatsApp Status For Telugu New Year

Happy Ugadi 2026 Wishes, Images: Here are some beautiful Ugadi wishes, images, greeting and quotes that you can share with your family, friends, and colleagues on Telugu New Year. Read More

Who Is Matthew VanDyke, US National Arrested By NIA Over Links To Anti-India Groups

VanDyke was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Kolkata on March 13 along with six Ukrainian nationals. Read More

US Israel Iran War Live: Iran strikes Gulf energy sites as Khamenei warns Israel after officials killed

US Israel Iran War Live: The wave of targeted killings has wiped out many of Iran’s senior leaders, though Washington’s top intelligence official said the government remained in place, albeit degraded, after nearly three weeks of war Go Read More

Related Articles