New Delhi, India – Reciprocal tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump are projected to have a remarkably limited impact on India’s overall economic growth, according to a detailed assessment released by a leading industry body. The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) stated on Sunday, April 13, 2025, that the anticipated effect on India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to be only 0.1 per cent.
This forecast provides a degree of reassurance amidst global trade uncertainties triggered by protectionist measures. The industry chamber attributes India’s expected resilience to a combination of robust domestic economic factors and strategic governmental support aimed at bolstering local manufacturing and consumption.
Assessing the Limited Economic Hit
The projection of a mere 0.1 per cent impact underscores the view that, while specific sectors may face headwinds, the broader Indian economy possesses inherent strengths that mitigate widespread disruption. PHDCCI President Hemant Jain highlighted the key drivers behind this limited vulnerability. “India’s strong industrial competitiveness, coupled with supportive government policies like PLI, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, will help balance the impact,” Jain stated.
This perspective suggests that the structural enhancements being implemented across Indian industries, combined with policy frameworks designed to promote self-reliance and boost manufacturing capacity, are proving effective cushions against external economic pressures, such as those arising from tariff actions by major trading partners like the United States.
Driving Factors Behind Resilience: Policy and Competitiveness
The analysis from PHDCCI places significant emphasis on the role of strategic government interventions. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, for instance, is designed to boost domestic manufacturing and make Indian goods more competitive globally. By providing incentives for incremental production and investments in specified sectors, the PLI scheme encourages companies to scale up operations within India, potentially reducing reliance on specific export markets subject to tariffs and enhancing capabilities to meet domestic demand.
Similarly, the long-running Make in India initiative continues to champion domestic manufacturing, aiming to transform India into a global manufacturing hub. This focus helps in building a stronger industrial base that is less susceptible to fluctuations in international trade flows caused by tariffs. The Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative further reinforces this strategy by promoting self-sufficiency across various sectors, encouraging local production and strengthening domestic supply chains. This reduces dependence on imports and builds a more resilient economy capable of absorbing external shocks.
The synergy between these policies is seen as crucial in fostering an environment where Indian industries can maintain competitiveness even when faced with trade barriers. By improving efficiency, scale, and quality within India, these initiatives help offset the potential price disadvantages that tariffs might otherwise create for Indian exports to the US market.
Sectoral Headwinds and Medium-Term Outlook
While the overall GDP impact is projected to be minor, the PHDCCI analysis acknowledges that certain sectors are likely to experience more immediate negative consequences. In the short term, sectors including precious/semi-precious stones, textiles/apparel, marine products, vehicles and parts, articles of iron or steel, and chemical products may see a moderately negative to negative impact. These industries are often sensitive to changes in export markets due to their reliance on international demand or specific supply chain dependencies that might involve the affected trade flows.
However, the report offers a more optimistic outlook for the medium term. This short-term strain is expected to be negated over time. The primary factors cited for this anticipated recovery and stabilization are India’s robust domestic demand and the strengthening domestic supply chains – precisely the outcomes that government policies like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat aim to achieve.
A large and growing domestic market provides a vital buffer, offering alternative avenues for sales and growth when export markets become challenging. As domestic supply chains mature and become more integrated, Indian manufacturers can source more components and raw materials locally, reducing reliance on potentially tariff-affected imports and building greater resilience within the national economy. This structural shift towards greater self-reliance and a focus on the vast internal market is key to overcoming short-term export challenges.
Conclusion
The assessment by the PHDCCI offers a measured perspective on the potential economic fallout from US reciprocal tariffs. While acknowledging localized challenges in certain export-oriented sectors in the short term, the overriding message is one of limited systemic risk to India’s GDP. The forecast of just a 0.1 per cent impact is underpinned by confidence in India’s growing industrial competitiveness and the strategic cushioning provided by initiatives aimed at fostering domestic manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, and leveraging the power of its large internal market. This suggests that India’s economic architecture is increasingly equipped to navigate the complexities of global trade disputes and protectionist measures.
