India hits back after US slaps 25% extra tariffs on exports over Russian oil ties; PM Modi stands firm on protecting farmers and national interest.
India Responds to US Tariff Hike with Firm Stand on Farmers’ Rights
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered a bold response after US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian exports, doubling the total tariff impact to 50%.
Speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in Delhi, PM Modi emphasized that India will not compromise on the interests of its farmers, livestock holders, or fishermen, even if it comes at a personal cost.
“I know I’ll have to pay a huge price personally. But I’m ready. India is ready, for our farmers,” said PM Modi.
Key Points from PM Modi’s Statement:
- India will not yield to pressure when it comes to safeguarding the interests of farmers and fishermen.
- The tariff hike follows India’s continued import of Russian crude oil, which the US views as grounds for penalty.
- Modi reaffirmed that India’s policies are based on energy security for 1.4 billion citizens, not geopolitical pressure.
India Condemns Tariffs as ‘Unjustified and Unfair’
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly criticized the new US tariffs, calling them:
- “Unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable”
- Disconnected from global realities, as other countries also import Russian oil
- A threat to India’s energy and economic security
“India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests,” the MEA said in a statement.
Worsening US-India Trade Tensions
The tariff escalation adds to already strained ties between Washington and New Delhi, following:
- Operation Sindoor, India’s military strike post the Pahalgam terror attack
- Claims by Trump about brokering peace between India and Pakistan, which India has firmly denied
- A paused India-US trade deal, with the US pushing for greater access to Indian agriculture, which India resisted to protect domestic farmers
Green Revolution Legacy and the Future
PM Modi paid tribute to MS Swaminathan, the father of India’s Green Revolution, highlighting that the next challenge is not just food security but nutritional security.
“Building on his legacy, our agricultural scientists must now focus on nutritional security for all,” Modi said.
Also Read: India Slams Trump’s 50% Tariff on Indian Exports: “Unfair, Unjustified, Unreasonable”
