One lakh diamond workers in Saurashtra lose jobs after US tariff hike
New Delhi: Nearly one lakh diamond cutting and polishing workers in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region have lost their jobs since April, following the imposition of a 10% base tariff by the United States. The situation has worsened in the past 10 days after the tariff was raised to 25%, with a 50% rate expected from August 27, according to Gujarat Diamond Workers Union (DWU) vice-president Bhavesh Tank.
Small-scale units in Bhavnagar, Amreli, and Junagadh have been the worst affected. Orders from the US have been paused or cancelled since the Donald Trump administration announced steep tariffs on Indian goods. In 2024, India supplied 68% of the US’s diamond imports by volume and 42% by value, worth $5.79 billion, as per the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
GJEPC data shows that cut and polished diamond exports fell 22.72% in the first quarter of FY 2025-26 compared to the same period last year, dropping to $2.83 billion from $3.67 billion. Workers in the sector typically earn ₹15,000–20,000 per month, and while some may shift to the lab-grown diamond industry, most face uncertain futures.
“The US is our largest market, accounting for over $10 billion in exports. Such a tariff hike threatens to bring the industry to a standstill,” GJEPC chairman Kirit Bhansali said.
Most Indian goods are currently facing a 25% US tariff, with the additional 25% penalty set to take effect on August 27. The diamond industry is among several labour-intensive sectors expected to bear the brunt of the move.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
