India stood by us in crisis: Sri Lankan MP backs New Delhi in Trump tariff row

Sri Lankan Member of Parliament Harsha de Silva has urged the Parliament not to take lightly the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly imposed tariffs on Indian goods, stressing that India was the only country to extend critical assistance during Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis.

Speaking in Parliament, Dr. de Silva reaffirmed the deep bond between Colombo and New Delhi, defending India’s bold stand against what he described as Trump’s “unfair and selective” trade measures and cautioning against ridiculing a partner that has stood by Sri Lanka in its time of need.

“Don’t laugh at India. Don’t mock them when they are down because when we were down, they were the only ones to lend us a hand,” de Silva said. “It ain’t over until the fat lady sings. We witnessed you laughing. Don’t laugh. India expected the tariffs to come down to 15%, and so did we,” the MP said.

Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic collapse was marked by empty fuel stations, long queues for food, shortages of essential medicines, and near-exhaustion of foreign currency reserves. The crisis led the country to default on its foreign debt for the first time in its history.

In this dire context, India emerged as Sri Lanka’s most crucial ally, extending more than $4 billion in assistance. This included credit lines for importing fuel, food, and fertilizers; currency swaps to stabilize reserves; and deferment of loan repayments. India also sent multiple shipments of humanitarian aid, including urgently needed medicines and other relief materials.

A significant portion of the support was directed toward fuel imports, keeping public transport, electricity generation, and key industries running. Additionally, India backed Sri Lanka’s efforts to secure an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, providing vital diplomatic support at international forums.

India has mounted a determined diplomatic and trade response to the U.S. tariffs, pledging not to compromise on critical sectors such as agriculture, dairy, and fisheries. Indian officials have indicated that they are prepared to pay a “heavy price” to protect the nation’s strategic and economic sovereignty.

The latest tariffs—an additional 25% imposed on August 6—were introduced by Trump in retaliation for India’s purchases of Russian oil, which he claimed indirectly funded Moscow’s war in Ukraine. The move raised total duties on Indian exports to 50%, among the steepest levies on any U.S. trading partner.

In an ironic twist, these tariffs come at a time when Trump is reportedly seeking a Nobel Prize nomination—an aspiration some critics see as at odds with his aggressive economic measures toward allies.

The tariff dispute has unfolded alongside sharp political rhetoric. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a public event in Bengaluru, appeared to indirectly respond to Trump’s description of India as a “dead economy.”

“We are rapidly moving towards becoming one of the world’s top three economies,” Modi declared. “This speed comes from our spirit of reform, perform, and transform—driven by clear intentions and honest efforts. In 2014, Metro networks were in only five cities; now, we have over 1,000 km of network in 24 cities.”