PM Modi Vows Self-Reliance as US Tariffs Hit Indian Exports
PM Modi rejects US pressure, pushes Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
As the United States prepares to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports starting August 27, 2025, escalating the total duty to 50%, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered a defiant message of resilience. The US Department of Homeland Security’s draft notice, issued Monday, cites India’s purchase of Russian crude oil as the reason for the punitive measures, linking it to “threats to the United States by the Government of the Russian Federation.”
The tariff hike, announced by President Donald Trump on August 6 via Executive Order 14329, targets India’s $87 billion export market to the US, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. Exemptions apply to goods in transit before August 27 and cleared by September 17, 2025, under HTSUS code 9903.01.85, but the broad scope of the tariffs threatens small entrepreneurs and key industries.
In a subtle jab at the US, Modi remarked, “Today in this world, there is politics of economic self-interest, everyone looks out for themselves. We are witnessing this.” He reiterated his commitment to India’s self-reliance through the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign, promising, “From the land of Gandhi, I assure you, the interests of our shopkeepers and farmers are my utmost priority.”
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India’s Ministry of External Affairs has called the tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable,” arguing that its oil imports are driven by market dynamics and energy needs. With a US trade delegation expected in New Delhi, India is exploring export diversification and incentives to counter the economic impact.
As global trade tensions rise, Modi’s message underscores India’s determination to navigate the tariff storm while safeguarding its economic backbone.
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