(Image source from: Economictimes.indiatimes.com)
Sending a clear message the day after US President Donald Trump intensified the trade conflict with India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that India will always protect the interests of its farmers and fishermen. The Prime Minister mentioned that although he recognizes he will have to "face the consequences," he is willing to do so for the benefit of farmers. While speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in Delhi, he stated, "The needs of farmers are our highest priority. India will never sacrifice the interests of its farmers, livestock keepers, and fishermen. I understand that I may personally suffer significant consequences because of this, but I am prepared. India is committed to supporting our farmers, fishermen, and livestock owners." This statement came shortly after Trump's tariffs were enacted. Paying tribute to MS Swaminathan, the father of the Green Revolution, Modi added, "Continuing the legacy of food security, the next challenge for our agricultural scientists is to ensure nutritional well-being for everyone." India ships a range of agricultural goods to the US and is one of the sectors likely to be most affected by Trump's tariffs.
Yesterday, Donald Trump declared a new 25 percent tariff on Indian exports as a "punishment" for India's continued purchase of Russian oil. Previously, the US had set a 25 percent tariff on Indian exports back on July 20. With the total tariffs on Indian exports to the US now at 50 percent, the Ministry of External Affairs responded by saying that it is "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable" for the US to target India over Russian oil purchases. "We have already made our stance clear on these topics, highlighting that our imports are determined by market conditions and aimed at ensuring energy security for India's 1.4 billion citizens. It is deeply regrettable that the US has decided to impose extra tariffs on India for actions that many other nations are also taking in their own national interests," the Ministry stated, affirming that India "will take all necessary steps to preserve its national interests." Relations between India and the US have been strained following Operation Sindoor, India's response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 innocent people.
Trump has often asserted that he facilitated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a claim that the Modi government has disputed. "From the beginning, we stated that our response was not intended to escalate tensions. No global leader urged us to halt Operation Sindoor," Prime Minister Modi remarked during the debate on Operation Sindoor in Parliament. Increases in tariffs have followed these assertions. Trump's tariffs also emerge amid a standstill in negotiations regarding an India-US trade agreement. Washington has been advocating for greater access to India’s agricultural market, a proposition that New Delhi has resisted in order to protect its farmers.
