PM Modi Vows To Protect Farmers, Small Industries Amid US Tariff Deadline
With the US tariff deadline on Indian imports just two days away, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday assured that his government will not compromise on the interests of farmers and small-scale industries. Speaking in Ahmedabad, he said, “Pressure on us may increase, but we will bear it.”
Ties between New Delhi and Washington have come under strain after trade talks reached a stalemate. US President Donald Trump recently doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, adding an extra 25 percent duty over India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil.
India, among the world’s largest crude importers, now faces an August 27 deadline to cut down its reliance on Russian oil, which currently makes up nearly a third of its supply. While Russian imports saved India billions in costs and kept domestic fuel prices stable, finding alternative suppliers risks price hikes. Conversely, ignoring US warnings could damage India’s export market.
Calling Washington’s actions “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” New Delhi has pushed back firmly. Modi reiterated that his administration will always put the interests of “small entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, farmers, and animal husbandry workers” first. “My government will never allow harm to come to them. No matter how much pressure comes, we will strengthen ourselves to withstand it,” he said.
The Prime Minister also appealed to citizens and businesses to embrace swadeshi (indigenous) products. “We should all follow the mantra of buying only ‘Made in India’ goods. Businessmen should display boards outside their establishments saying they sell only swadeshi goods,” Modi urged.
The US tariffs pose a major threat to India’s low-margin, labour-intensive industries such as textiles, gems and jewellery, and seafood — sectors that provide employment to millions. Agriculture, another sensitive area, remains a sticking point in bilateral trade talks.
Despite looming challenges, Modi’s message was clear: India will not bow to external pressure at the cost of its small producers and farmers. Instead, his government is banking on swadeshi production and resilience to cushion the impact of the looming tariff deadline.
