<h1>Opposition leader: US 50% duty including 25% Russian-oil penalty acts like sanctions, devastates Indian exports and jobs</h1> A senior opposition leader stated that recent US measures imposing a 50% duty on Indian shipments-including a 25% penalty tied to purchases of Russian oil-operate effectively as sanctions and have rendered many Indian exports unviable, causing substantial job losses in gems, jewellery, seafood and manufacturing. He described the penalty as discriminatory compared with other countries' treatment, urged diversification of export markets and political ties, and said India is negotiating for tariff relief while pursuing alternative trade deals. He recommended building broader Indo-European economic cooperation to mitigate the tariff shock.