Chandigarh, Nov. 10 -- Rajinder Gupta (66) wears many hats - entrepreneur, policy adviser, philanthropist, cricket administrator, and now a politician. One of India's leading industrialists, Gupta, chairman emeritus of the billion-dollar Trident Group, took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha last week. The self-made billionaire has long worked with successive governments, serving as vice-chairman of the state planning body. He was elected unopposed to the upper house from Punjab as a candidate of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In an interview with Hindustan Times, Gupta discussed his shift to politics, the challenges facing the state, and the impact of US tariffs on industry.

Edited excerpts:

What prompted you to join politics?

I a...