Speaking on Friday (August 15), Prime Minister Modi turned Trump’s tariff pressure into a broader call for self-reliance. “Kisi doosre ki lakeer chhoti karne ke liye apni oorja hamein nahi khapani hai… Himmat ke saath apni lakeer ko lambi karein (Our goal isn’t to shrink others, but to grow so tall that no one can ignore our strength),” he said, showing India’s commitment to growth despite external challenges.
The Prime Minister noted that India must not “sit crying over those crises” but instead strengthen its resilience.
“No selfishness will be able to entangle us,” he said, cautioning against rising “economic selfishness” in the global order that seeks to put pressure on developing nations.
Without naming Trump, PM Modi issued a sharp warning against policies that hurt India’s core sectors. “If any policy is against India’s farmers, fishermen, cattle rearers, Modi is standing like a wall,” he declared, in what was widely seen as a reference to Washington’s push for concessions in the ongoing trade negotiations.
India and the US began negotiations for a bilateral trade pact in March 2025, with both sides initially aiming to sign the first tranche by October–November. Talks have taken place in New Delhi, Washington, and through virtual rounds. However, tensions have escalated after Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on Indian exports along with an additional 25 percent penalty over India’s purchase of Russian oil.
The Commerce and Industry Ministry recently acknowledged Trump’s latest remarks on trade, stating it had “taken note” and is studying the full implications.
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