‘Tariff threat, penal tariff in India… What is she doing about it?’ Chidambaram asks FM on Budget

Congress MP and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram criticised Union Budget 2026, flagging a “tariff threat” and “penal tariffs” in India. He questioned Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for not addressing rising trade deficits, especially with China, weak private investment, low gross fixed capital formation, and uncertain FDI and portfolio flows. Chidambaram said these unresolved issues worry investors and economists and must be addressed before assessing the Budget’s merits.