Table of Contents
The Hindu Editorial Analysis
We understand the significance of reading The Hindu newspaper for enhancing reading skills, improving comprehension of passages, staying informed about current events, enhancing essay writing, and more, especially for banking aspirants who need to focus on editorials for vocabulary building. This article will explore today’s editorial points, along with practice questions and key vocabulary.
India to finalize U.S. deal only after rate clarity
- India will sign a trade deal with the United States only after it clearly understands the tariff (tax) system and country-wise rates. Government sources said that India wants full clarity before making any final decision.
- A senior official from the Ministry of Commerce said that any deal must be judged based on the tariff structure and how much benefit India gets in the U.S. market compared to other countries.
- Right now, the United States is trying to rebuild its global tariff system, and India feels it is better to wait until this process is completed before signing the deal.
- This situation comes at a time when two investigations are going on in the U.S., which may lead to extra tariffs on several countries, including India.
- Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that India is still in talks with the U.S. for a trade agreement.
- He also mentioned that after the U.S. Supreme Court judgment on February 20, 2026, reciprocal tariffs were cancelled and are no longer valid.
- However, the U.S. government has now introduced a 10% tariff on some products from all countries under Section 122 of the Trade Act, 1974.
- He repeated that India is continuing discussions to reach a deal that benefits both countries.
- Earlier, India and the U.S. had announced a trade deal on February 2, and a framework agreement was shared on February 7.
- At that time, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had said that the deal would likely be signed in March.
- On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the use of emergency powers (IEEPA) by President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on other countries.
- After this decision, the U.S. introduced a 10% tariff on all countries for 150 days starting from February 24 under a different law.
- The official explained that when the March deadline was earlier discussed, this court judgment had not come yet, so the situation has now changed.
- Also, on March 11–12, the U.S. started two new investigations under Section 301, which could result in more tariffs on certain countries.
- Earlier, under the proposed plan, the S. was expected to put an 18% tariff on most Indian goods.
- Now, the final rate will depend on what tariffs are imposed on other competing countries.
- The official explained that if other countries face higher tariffs (like 19%–22%), India may stay at 18%, but if those rates go down, India’s tariff will also be reduced.
- He added that this final decision depends completely on the United States.
- On the topic of Russian oil, Mr. Agrawal said that earlier tariffs on India were linked to India buying oil from Russia.
- He said that on February 7, 2026, the U.S. removed a 25% extra tariff on some Indian exports, which had been imposed because of India’s Russian oil imports.
- After the conflict in West Asia began, the U.S. had first allowed India to import Russian oil, and later this permission was given to all countries.
- When asked whether India is buying Russian oil at higher prices, he said the Petroleum Ministry can give better details.
- He also confirmed that India is still buying Russian oil, and imports have increased this month due to current global challenges.
Indian vessels escorted by naval warships in the Gulf of Oman
- The Indian Navy has sent warships to protect Indian ships passing through the Persian Gulf region.
- Three Navy ships escorted Indian merchant ships Shivalik, Nanda Devi, and Jag Laadki safely from the Gulf of Oman after crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
- Even though the main conflict is happening west of the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman (east of the strait) has also seen attacks.
- Jag Laadki, which was carrying over 80,000 tonnes of crude oil, had just left the Fujairah terminal in the UAE and narrowly escaped danger when the terminal was attacked during loading.
- Sources said that naval protection will continue, and about 22 Indian ships are still stuck west of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Although the names of the Navy ships were not shared, a senior official confirmed that they are working under Operation Sankalp.
- Operation Sankalp, started in June 2019, is meant to protect Indian ships and ensure safe movement in important sea routes, especially during threats like recent attacks.
- Meanwhile, the LPG ship Shivalik reached Mundra Port safely on Monday evening.
- Earlier, a senior official from the Ministry of Shipping said that special arrangements were made at ports to avoid delays in unloading cargo.
- Another LPG ship, Nanda Devi, is expected to reach Kandla port on Tuesday, with both ships together carrying over 92,000 tonnes of cargo.
- Officials confirmed that all crew members on these ships are safe.
- A Petroleum Ministry official said that cooking gas (LPG) is a concern, but there is no shortage for domestic consumers at present.
- It was also shared that domestic LPG production has increased by 36% after new supply measures were implemented.
- When asked about U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that countries should send warships to protect the Strait of Hormuz, India said that this issue has not been discussed officially with the U.S..
Sahitya Akademi declares 2025 awards across 24 languages
- The Sahitya Akademi announced its 2025 awards for books in 24 languages, after a delay of almost three months.
- The delay happened because the Union Culture Ministry had paused the process for “restructuring” the awards.
- Among the winners, former diplomat Navtej Sarna received the award in English for his novel “Crimson Spring”.
- Hindi writer Mamta Kalia was honoured for her memoir “Jeete Jee Allahabad”.
- Tamil writer Sa Tamilselvan won for literary criticism with his work “Thamizh Sirukathaiyin Thadangal”.
- The Akademi said that the awards include 8 poetry books, 4 novels, 6 short story collections, 2 essays, 1 literary criticism work, 1 autobiography, and 2 memoirs.
Other winners include:
- Prasun Bandyopadhyay (Bengali) for “Shresha Kabita”
- Yogesh Vaidya (Gujarati) for “Bhattkhadaki”
- Amresh Nugadoni (Kannada) for “Dada Seerisu Tande”
More awardees:
- N. Prabhakaran (Malayalam) for “Maayamanushyar”
- Raju Baviskar (Marathi) for “Kalyanilya Resha”
- Nandini Sidha Reddy (Telugu) for “Animesha”
Additional winners:
- Jinder (Punjabi) for “Safety Kit”
- Jitender Kumar Soni (Rajasthani) for “Bharkhama”
- Each winner will receive a copper plaque, a shawl, and ₹1 lakh cash prize at a ceremony on March 31.
- Earlier, the Akademi had cancelled its press conference on December 18 due to a last-minute order from the Culture Ministry, which wanted changes in the award process.
Important Questions
- Why will India sign trade deal with United States only after clarity in tariff structure and country-wise tariff rates?
- How will tariffs imposed on competing countries affect final tariff rate for India in United States market?
- Why has Indian Navy deployed warships to escort Indian-flagged merchant vessels in Gulf of Oman region?
- How is Operation Sankalp ensuring safe passage of Indian-flagged merchant vessels through Strait of Hormuz and Gulf region?
- Why were the Sahitya Akademi awards for 2025 delayed due to directives from the Union Culture Ministry?
- What types of literary works were included in the Sahitya Akademi awards across 24 languages?
Important Vocabulary
- Tariff – a tax imposed on imported or exported goods
- Reciprocal – given or done in return
- Investigations – official inquiries to find facts
- Framework – a basic structure or system
- Escorted – accompanied for protection
- Transit – the act of passing through a place
- Strait – a narrow passage of water connecting two seas
- Consignment – a shipment of goods
- Memoir – a personal account of experiences
- Criticism – analysis and evaluation of work
- Autobiography – a life story written by oneself
- Directive – an official order or instruction
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