Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come out swinging against Trump’s latest tariff threat urging India to buy and sell local goods. He said that the nation needs to remain alert to its economic goals, especially at a time when the world economy is going through ‘uncertainty and instability’. Trump had announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods last week and with the country buying Russian oil, more sanctions are expected to follow.
PM Modi’s Swadeshi Mantra : A Strong Message To Trump’s Tarrif
Why In News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come out swinging against Trump’s latest tariff threat urging India to buy and sell local goods. He said that the nation needs to remain alert to its economic goals, especially at a time when the world economy is going through ‘uncertainty and instability’. Trump had announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods last week and with the country buying Russian oil, more sanctions are expected to follow.
PM Modi’s Message
- Taking note of the situation, PM Modi said that the world is going through “unstable” times and most countries are prioritising their own interests. He added that as India moves closer to becoming the world’s thrid-largest economy, it must stay focussed and protect its own economic priorities. His remarks came just two days after Trump described India as a “dead economy” along with Russia. While talking about the importance of supporting Indian-made goods, PM Modi called for a renewed commitment to ‘Swadeshi’. He said every Indian, be it a citizen, trader, or leader, should come forward to support indigenous products.
PM Modi VS Trump
- After announcing 25% duty on Indian goods, Trump also mentioned a “penalty” for countries purchasing Russian oil and military hardware, of which India is a key benefactor. The 25% tariff announcement by Washington has raised concerns in India and is being viewed as a way to pressure the country into agreeing to US trade terms.
- Speaking on the same lines, PM Modi has appealed to shopkeepers in particular, saying, “In these times of global uncertainty, let us pledge to stock and sell only Swadeshi products in our shops and markets. Supporting Made-in-India goods is one of the most genuine ways we can serve the nation.”
- The tariff move has raised concerns in India and is being viewed as a way to pressure the country into agreeing to US trade terms.
- He also encouraged people to be thoughtful while buying products. “Whatever we buy, we should ask ourselves, has an Indian toiled to make this? If it has been made by the sweat of our people, with their skills, that product is Swadeshi for us.
- We must adopt the mantra of ‘Vocal for Local’.” The PM further emphasised that adopting Swadeshi values is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and crucial for India’s growth. “The spirit of Swadeshi in all our actions will shape the future of our nation. It will serve as a genuine tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Together, through united efforts, we can realise the vision of a developed India,” PM Modi said.
Farmers Also A Priority, Says PM
- Addressing the crowd in Banauli village, Modi highlighted various farmer-friendly initiatives taken by the government. He said that improving farmers’ welfare remains a top priority and that the government is consistently working in their interest.
- Modi made a strong appeal for a national-level movement to support local businesses and products. He said this should not just be his message, but something that resonates with every Indian. “This isn’t just something Prime Minister Modi should say — it’s something every Indian must believe in. If we truly want India to become the world’s third-largest economy, then every political party and every leader must rise above their differences, put the nation first, and inspire a spirit of Swadeshi among the people.”
Get RealWhy
- Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, accused India of imposing “massive” tariffs on American goods and “cheating” the US immigration system in addition to purchasing about as much Russian oil as China.
- “President Trump, he wants a tremendous relationship and has had always a tremendous relationship with India and the prime minister,” Miller said. “But we need to get real about dealing with the financing of this war.”
- “So, President Trump, all options are on the table to deal diplomatically, financially and otherwise with the ongoing war in Ukraine, so we can achieve peace,” Miller added.
- Trump last week told reporters he “heard” India would no longer be buying oil from Russia, calling it “a good step.” Bloomberg reported last week that refiners were told to come up with plans for buying non-Russian crude, but one of the people said the instruction amounted to scenario planning in case Russian crude were to become unavailable.
- The New York Times reported that India would keep buying Russian crude despite a threat of penalties from Trump, citing two senior Indian officials it didn’t identify. An Oil Ministry spokesperson didn’t reply to messages from Bloomberg seeking comment outside of regular business hours.
- India’s refiners have been singled out by the European Union and the US for supporting Moscow during its war in Ukraine with the oil purchases. It has become the world’s biggest buyer of Russian seaborne exports of crude, soaking up discounted barrels and ramping up its purchases from almost zero to about one-third of its imports.
- Although China is the primary economic and diplomatic backer of Russia, Trump’s leverage against the world’s second-biggest economy is limited due to Beijing’s control of rare-earth magnets the US needs to make high-tech goods. The US and China have held talks in recent months aimed at stabilizing the relationship after they hiked tariffs on each other’s goods well beyond 100% earlier this year.
‘Time- Tested Partnership’
- India has defended its ties with Russia, one of its biggest suppliers of weapons dating back to the Cold War. The two nations have a “steady and time-tested partnership,” Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters.
- “Our bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country,” Jaiswal said. Asked about ties with the US, he added that he’s he’s “confident that the relationship will continue to move forward.”
- India expects US trade negotiators to visit the country toward the end of the month to continue talks on a bilateral deal, an official in New Delhi said Friday. The nation will hold its ground and won’t give the US access to its dairy and agriculture sectors, the official said, citing political and religious sensitivities.
- Modi’s renewed emphasis on domestic manufacturing and consumption echoes his long-standing “Make in India” initiative. However, the message has taken on new urgency after the US tariffs.
- “The interests of our farmers, our small industries and the employment of our youth are of paramount importance,” Modi told the rally on Saturday.
