Industrialist Anand Mahindra has responded to the U.S. decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian imports by urging India to seize this moment as a turning point. He called on the nation to pursue bold economic reforms and turn adversity into opportunity.

“The law of unintended consequences is quietly shaping global dynamics,” said the Mahindra Group Chairman. Drawing parallels with Europe’s increased defence spending and Canada’s moves toward a unified market, he argued that India, too, must act decisively.

“Just as the 1991 forex crisis led to liberalisation, can today’s tariff tensions yield a new ‘Amrit’ for us?” he asked in a post on social media platform X.

Mahindra proposed transformative reforms, including a national single-window clearance system for investments. While acknowledging that states control many regulations, he suggested starting with a coalition of “willing states” to create momentum and investor confidence.

He emphasized the need to boost tourism as a major source of foreign exchange and employment by accelerating visa processing, ensuring tourist safety, and creating dedicated, well-maintained tourism corridors.

Mahindra also advocated for a manufacturing revival through enhanced PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) schemes, import duty rationalisation, MSME liquidity support, and accelerated infrastructure investments.

“We can’t fault others for putting their nations first,” Mahindra concluded, “but we should be moved to make our own nation greater than ever.”