On India’s 79th Independence Day, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP and Founder-Chancellor of Lovely Professional University (LPU), Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal issued a bold ultimatum to the United States that if the 50% tariff hike on Indian goods is not revoked by August 27, all American soft drinks and beverage companies will be banned from the campus of Lovely Professional University (one of India’s largest private universities, catering to over 40,000 students.
The ultimatum followed Dr. Mittal’s open letter to U.S. President Donald J. Trump on August 7, where he described the tariff hike announced by the United States as ‘unfair’ and disruptive. He urged President Trump to roll back the decision and return to principles of dialogue, not diktats. In the same letter, Dr. Mittal asked a pointed question, ‘What if 146 crore Indians initiate a strategic restriction of U.S. businesses?’ ~ a sentiment that has since ignited a nationwide debate, with several universities and youth organisations across India mulling similar restrictions on American products.
Today, with momentum growing on the ground, Dr. Mittal has once again underlined the importance of cooperation over coercion. He has called for constructive dialogue where the possibility of revoking the tariff hike can be discussed at length and a decision fair to India can be arrived at. However, while urging for collaboration, Dr. Mittal reiterated, ‘India’s economic dignity cannot be compromised. My decision to ban American beverage companies from LPU is not targeted at any single brand but is a symbolic assertion of India’s rising role in global affairs. India is no longer a passive participant in international trade but a rising force to reckon with, that holds self-respect at its core. Hence, a hike that is imposed on India as a penalty for trading with Russia while USA continues to do the same is completely unacceptable. America WILL HAVE to RETHINK and REVOKE!’
RS MP Ashok Mittal’s latest statement comes exactly a week after President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, post which two things are clear that pressure on the White House is mounting and there is growing compulsion to recognise India as the world’s fourth-largest economy that cannot be subjected to unfair trade diktats.
Dr. Mittal once again cautioned USA, ’Any imbalance of trade with India, would deal a far greater blow to the U.S. than to India.’ He once again called upon world leaders to move beyond zero-sum tactics and resolve this issue peacefully, reminding them that, ‘the real test of diplomacy lies not in rhetoric but in achieving breakthroughs that benefit all sides.’
With his assertive and firm stance against tariff hikes, and his repeated call for constructive global dialogue, Dr. Ashok Mittal stands out as one of the most mature and vocal champions of India’s economic dignity on the global stage. His message remains clear ~ India welcomes cooperation but its dignity is non-negotiable.
