Pralhad Joshi, Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Government of India
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the Center will study the recent US Supreme Court ruling on customs duties before issuing any official response, stressing that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Joshi said: “I have read in the media that the US Supreme Court has issued some rulings and the Indian government will consider that, and whatever reaction has to be given, will be given by the commerce ministry and MEA, not by me.” His comments come after the US Supreme Court ruled by a vote of 6 to 3 that the Trump administration exceeded its authority by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to impose sweeping tariffs on imports.
Chief Justice John Roberts, along with Justices Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and the three liberal justices, held that IEEPA does not authorize the president to impose fees, a power constitutionally vested in Congress. However, President Donald Trump called the ruling a “terrible decision” and announced a new 10 percent global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows temporary surcharges on imports for 150 days.
Meanwhile, Joshi also criticized the Indian Youth Congress for organizing a shirtless protest during the India AI Summit. He said, “It is shameful for the Congress Party to behave in this way when 20 heads of state and 45 ministers and important officials from about 150 countries participated in it.”
“Instead of celebrating India’s performance, they are trying to create a fuss. They are trying to become an obstacle to India’s growth,” he added.
The protest on Friday saw Youth Congress cadres removing their shirts at the summit venue, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “compromising”. The police later arrested the demonstrators. The Youth Congress said in a statement that the demonstration was against “the compromising prime minister who traded the country’s identity at the artificial intelligence summit.”
Posted on February 21, 2026
