Indian exporters, reeling from punitive U.S. tariffs, have urged the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for urgent relief measures, including a 12-month moratorium on loan repayments and access to a more favorable exchange rate, sources said on Thursday.
Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs as high as 50% on Indian exports, hitting key sectors such as textiles, chemicals, gems and jewelry, and fisheries. Exporters fear widespread job cuts as they scramble to find new buyers in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
In a written submission reviewed by Reuters, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) sought a moratorium on both principal and interest payments, along with a collateral-free credit guarantee scheme similar to that offered during the COVID-19 crisis. “This breathing space will allow exporters to recalibrate operations and avoid defaults,” the note said.
Exporters have also requested the sale of dollars at the rupee’s real effective exchange rate (REER) — currently around 15% stronger than the spot rate — to boost returns on their foreign currency holdings.
While the government is working on a rescue package, banks remain reluctant to offer loan moratoriums despite being asked to lend liberally with state backing. “Banks are prepared to support exporters but are opposed to any blanket moratorium,” a banking source said.
No measures or agreements with Washington to ease the tariff burden have been announced so far, though trade talks may resume in the coming weeks.