Tariff upon Tariff

Acloserstudy ofthe repercussions of Ukraine ‘losing’ thewarwith Russiashows this willonlyembolden Chinato gobbleup Taiwan. The Taiwan StraitwillturnintoaChinese lake, and India’s growing maritime tradewithits East Asianneighbours, primarily Japanand South Korea, willbe affected. Ourmerchandise, whichhasto pass throughthe TaiwanStraitwillbesubjectto whatever tollthe Chinesemay imposeinfuture

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The writing on the wall is in bold letters and clear. It can leave no one in doubt or confusion. The freedom and independence of Taiwan, a robust democracy is doomed to end, sooner or later. The unprovoked invasion will happen, and the fire-breathing Dragon will engulf it in fire and fury. The world’s largest naval force is singing ‘Taiwan Ahoy’ in commanded unison under the world’s most ruthless Communist regime.

Of course, as the world knows all too well, the stark warning is engraved on the Great Wall of China, so to say. Somewhat uncharacteristically, the Chinese Communist party has repeatedly proclaimed its intent loud and clear. If the Taiwanese do not submit to the Communist diktat, it will be unified with the Motherland, politically termed Mainland, by force. As if to buttress its open threats, China regularly sends its air and naval patrols to coerce a nation state that is a thriving economy and an open society under the rule of law.

It is in this context that the raging endless conflict in Ukraine and the possibility of its surrender are critical for India’s future. Either way, whether the war ends in favour of Russia or Ukraine, there is only one clear winner in sight ~ China. For Russia has suffered economically and militarily, with huge losses in men and weaponry. And Ukraine is devastated.

China, by indirectly aiding the mighty Russian war machine has aided the growing apprehension that for all the progress that mankind has made, might is still right. Big fish can gobble up the small fish with impunity. As is said, there are none so blind as those who would not see.

Viewed in the context, the punitive tariffs imposed on India for continuing to purchase Russian oil, in violation of strict Western sanctions, becomes urgently relevant. A narrative is doing the rounds across India that the high tariffs are punitive.