Trade experts and economists questioned whether US$100 billion a year in imports was feasible without an explicit policy push that steers companies towards American suppliers. Indian markets steadied after staging an initial relief rally, but economists said investors appear wary of the US$500 billion headline. "The markets seem to be treating the US$500 billion purchase intention with a degree of scepticism," said Dhiraj Nim, an economist at ANZ. If exports hold near pre-tariff levels and imports rise sharply, India's largest bilateral surplus could shrink and widen its overall trade deficit. "If it is a US$100 billion every year, it will completely upset India's trade balance," said independent trade expert Biswajit Dhar.

Source: The Edge Markets February 11, 2026 11:00 UTC