Indian opposition parties criticised the government on Thursday, describing U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of a 25% tariff as a diplomatic failure for New Delhi, while the rupee currency tumbled and equity indexes slid in response to the news.

As the workday wound down in New Delhi on Wednesday, most Indian trade officials were getting ready to head home. Then their phones lit up: Donald Trump hit the nation with a 25% tariff.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) had a warm meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington in February US President Donald Trump's decision to impose 25% tariffs on goods imported from India could hit the country's growth prospects,