India inherited a flourishing natural rubber (NR) based industry comprising of vibrant NR production and well established rubber products manufacturing segments. Historically, both the segments were intertwined and thrived under a protected policy regime, shielding them from external competition. This policy environment fostered the harmonious growth of both the segments in India. This symbiotic association between the two segments since the mid-1930s had been unique and nurtured in the post-independence period for achieving the twin national objectives of self-sufficiency and import substitution. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to examine the impact of increasing NR imports on the domestic price of NR and the sustainability of domestic production. The results indicated that trade liberalization has had a significant negative impact on both the rubber production and the non-tyre segments. There exists a considerable price difference (Rs. 39.69 in 2022-23) between the domestic and international markets, and these prices generally moved in tandem. The study also found that lower international prices depress the domestic price of NR due to free flow of the commodity, subject to the import duty in force. Traditionally, India has been importing NR from Southeast Asian countries. However, with the emergence of Cote d’Ivoire as a major rubber-producing country in recent years, imports of Technically Specified Rubber (TSR) from that country to India have been on the rise. In 2022-23, Cote d’Ivoire accounted for a quarter (1.2 Lakh tonnes) of the total TSR imported into India (Exim databank, Government of India). Importing natural rubber using the Advanced Licence Scheme (ALS) has proven advantageous for manufacturers, given the significant price difference between the domestic and international markets. TSR is the preferred grade in the tyre segment due to its cost advantages in processing compared to the RSS grades. Increasing imports is expected to cause serious damage to the domestic rubber production segment as the cost of production of rubber is high in the country and the present price of rubber hardly covers the cost of production. The cost of production of NR in Kerala, which accounts for 71.8 per cent of the national production of NR, is Rs.172.89/kg (Cost C2 under the third daily system of tapping). Earlier studies have shown that non remunerative prices deters the farmers from adoption of scientific cultivation practices affecting the productivity and postpone replanting decisions affecting age profile of rubber plantations in the county. Age profile of rubber plantations is very significant in ensuring economic productivity. Earlier studies have shown the growing share of senile plantations in India due to delay in replanting decision making. Safeguarding the domestic NR production segment should be approached from a nationalistic perspective. Sustainability of production of this strategically important raw material is crucial for national security and in the event of a supply chain disruption in the context of unfavorable geopolitical scenario.