New Delhi, March 26 -- India's government seems set to drop its 6% equalization levy on online advertising services rendered to Indian advertisers by offshore digital businesses. This so-called 'Google tax'-since it impacted this US-based web-search company perhaps the most, though also others like Meta and X-was introduced in 2016, but is abruptly being withdrawn just days before US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs go into force from 2 April.

What this move is expected to yield, however, remains unclear.

As a giveaway to US Big Tech firms that make money off India's market through borderless operations, the purpose might be to show flexibility in trade talks with America, expected to revolve around business interests. But ar...