Speaking at the World Economic Forum, he said that there is a lot of discussion on trade, tariffs, and regulations, but big problems like pollution are often ignored.

'There is a bigger threat to the Indian economy than tariffs...', a shocking statement by a Harvard University professor.

When the US imposed high tariffs on India, most market experts believed they would have a serious negative impact on the Indian economy. However, India strengthened domestic demand through reforms like the GST and took significant steps to reduce its dependence on the US, including signing free trade agreements with several countries. As a result, several reports have shown that despite the high tariffs, India's economy was not significantly affected, and instead, exports increased.

A bigger threat than tariffs 

On the other hand, Indian-American economist and Harvard University professor Gita Gopinath believes that the biggest threat to India's rapidly growing economy is not tariffs, but rising pollution. She argues that pollution has gradually become a serious challenge to India's growth, as it not only poses economic costs but also has a profound impact on human life.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, he said that there is a lot of discussion on trade, tariffs, and regulations, but big problems like pollution are often ignored.

Millions of deaths every year in India

Citing a 2022 World Bank report, Gita Gopinath stated that approximately 1.7 million people die in India each year from pollution-related causes, placing a significant burden on the economy, workforce, and long-term development. She also stated that pollution is not just an internal problem for India, but is also a concern for foreign investors planning large investments in India.

It is noteworthy that the US has imposed a base tariff of 25 percent on India. An additional 25 percent tariff has been imposed due to India's lower crude oil purchases from Russia. The total US tariff on India is 50 percent. Several trade deal negotiations have taken place between the two countries, but a final agreement has not been reached. It is now believed that the trade deal between India and the US is in its final stages.