Sell and purchase only Swadeshi products: In response to Trump’s tariff threats, PM Modi advocates for “Vocal for Local.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on citizens to support locally made products and embrace “Swadeshi” culture on Saturday. In view of “global economic uncertainties,” he stressed, it is appropriate to encourage indigenous products in order to benefit the nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the comments while speaking at a public event in Varanasi, where he is a member of parliament. He said this after the United States said it was imposing tariffs on shipments from almost 70 nations, including India.
The White House decree imposes 25% tariffs on Indian goods to the United States. India was recently referred to as a “dead economy” by US President Donald Trump.
PM Modi stated the following:
1. “As we discuss economic progress, I want to bring your attention to the current global scenario,” stated Prime Minister Modi. “The global economy is experiencing instability and uncertainty,” he stated. Countries are just considering their own interests during these times.
2. “India, too, is on the path to becoming the world’s third-largest economy and must remain alert to its own economic priorities,” Prime Minister Modi stated.
3. PM Modi stated that the government is making every effort to support small businesses, farmers, and youth employment, highlighting these as the government’s key priority. However, as citizens, we also have obligations.
4. The prime minister also reaffirmed his support for “Swadeshi,” emphasising that if “we want India to become the third-largest economy,” then every party, leader, and citizen must endeavour to promote domestic products.
5. “This is not just about Modi saying it, every Indian should say this – if we want India to become the third-largest economy, every political party and every leader, putting aside their hesitations, must work in the nation’s interest and awaken the spirit of Swadeshi among the people,” the prime minister said, urging a national movement to support local products.
6. “Everything we buy, we should ask ourselves—has an Indian toiled to make this?,” he said, urging people to be mindful shoppers. For us, a product is Swadeshi if it was created with the talents and sweat of our people. ‘Vocal for Local’ is the motto we need to embrace.
7. “At a time when the world is going through uncertainty, let us take a pledge to sell only Swadeshi goods from our shops and markets,” the prime minister remarked, specifically addressing traders and shopkeepers. The best service to the nation will be promoting products manufactured in India.
8. PM Modi urged people to make sure that all new purchases are made in India as the holiday and wedding seasons draw near.
9. He also recalled how his previous appeal caused many individuals who had planned wedding ceremonies elsewhere to move them to India. “Our destiny will be determined by how Swadeshi feels in every activity. Additionally, this will be a genuine homage to Mahatma Gandhi. We can only realise the dream of a developed India by working together,” PM Modi stated.
10. The evening Speaking to a large crowd of people in Banauli village on Saturday, Modi went into great detail on the government’s farmer-centric initiatives. He claimed that the government is always trying to improve the lot of farmers.
Trump’s tariff agreement
Donald Trump said on Thursday that Indian goods entering American markets will be subject to an extra 25 percent import charge and a penalty starting on August 7, since the US has yet to reach an agreement with India.
This obligation was previously scheduled to take effect on August 1. Additionally, the President has not clarified the sanctions he ordered on India for purchasing military hardware and crude oil from Russia.
Trump later stated, “I don’t care what India does with Russia,” in a post on Truth Social. I don’t care if they tear down their respective dead economies simultaneously.
Since the US has recently secured advantageous trade agreements with important allies like Japan, the UK, and the EU, experts view the US tariff move as a pressure technique to persuade India to accede to US demands.
In the planned bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the United States, India has particularly strengthened its position on extending tariff exemptions on dairy, genetically modified foods, and agricultural products.
