New Delhi – The direct impact of international trade tensions and recent tariffs imposed by the United States is now becoming visible on the Indian economy. On Friday, in the foreign exchange market, the Indian rupee reached its lowest level ever against the US dollar. Experts believe this decline could worsen due to global trade policies, rising crude oil prices, and capital outflows.
Why Did the Rupee Fall?
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Impact of US Tariffs – The United States recently imposed high tariffs on several products imported from Asian countries. This has increased uncertainty in international trade, and investors are pulling money out of emerging economies and moving toward safer options.
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Strength of the Dollar – The dollar has strengthened globally following strong economic data from the United States. This has directly affected the rupee and other currencies.
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Pressure from Oil Imports – India is a major importer of crude oil. The recent surge in oil prices has increased India’s import bill, putting further pressure on the rupee.
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FII Selling – Foreign investors have been continuously withdrawing capital from Indian stock markets, creating an imbalance in the currency market.
Impact on the Market
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The rupee reached 84.75 against the dollar, its lowest level ever.
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Declines were also recorded in the Sensex and Nifty, reflecting weak investor sentiment.
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Mixed impact on import-export companies:
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Importing companies will be more affected as they will now have to pay more rupees to buy dollars.
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Exporting companies may benefit from the rupee’s weakness as they will receive higher returns in dollars.
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Government and RBI Strategy
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The government has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and has assured that measures will be taken soon to restore stability.
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has intervened in the currency market and attempted to support the rupee by selling dollars.
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Experts believe that options such as interest rate adjustments or the use of foreign exchange reserves may also be considered.
Impact on the General Public
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The weakening rupee will directly affect the common person’s pocket.
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Petrol, diesel, and other imported goods may become more expensive.
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The cost of foreign education and tourism will increase.
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Prices of electronic products and gadgets like mobile phones are also likely to rise.
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The rupee’s weakness is not only due to domestic economic conditions but is also a result of international pressures. US tariffs have increased pressure on global trade, and demand for the dollar has risen further. If this situation persists for a long time, the Indian economy could face imported inflation and a current account deficit.
US tariffs and global trade tensions have pushed the rupee to a new historic low. The government and RBI must now take effective steps to restore balance. The coming period could be challenging for investors and ordinary citizens, as the rupee’s weakness will directly impact inflation and the cost of living.