New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to act as an unwavering barrier against any policy that could harm India’s farmers, livestock keepers, and fishermen, delivering a pointed response to the recent tariff hike imposed by US President Donald Trump.
Addressing the nation on the 79th Independence Day, PM Modi said, “For us, farmers, livestock rearers, and fishermen are the heart of the nation. I am standing like a wall to protect them. India will never agree to any compromise on their interests.”
His remarks come in the wake of Washington’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods, a move widely viewed as retaliation for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. New Delhi has described the measure as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”
Agriculture at the Heart of Trade Friction
Agriculture remains a long-standing flashpoint in India-US trade talks. Washington has pushed for greater market access for American farm and dairy goods. At the same time, India has maintained strict safeguards for its rural economy, which supports millions of small farmers and is underpinned by minimum support price (MSP) schemes.
In 2024–25, India-U.S. bilateral trade reached $131.8 billion, with India exporting goods worth $86.5 billion and importing $45.3 billion. Both leaders have previously spoken of ambitions to raise trade volumes to $500 billion, but disputes over agricultural policy continue to stall progress.
By reiterating his commitment on Independence Day, PM Modi has made it clear that India’s rural economy will remain non-negotiable in any future trade negotiations, even at the cost of heightened tensions with one of its key strategic partners.
