Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared an unwavering commitment to safeguarding India’s farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers, stating he is prepared to pay any personal price to protect their interests. Speaking at a three-day global conference celebrating the birth centenary of legendary agri-scientist M.S. Swaminathan, Modi’s remarks come as the United States imposes a 50% tariff on Indian goods, including agricultural products, escalating trade tensions.

“For us, farmers’ interest is the foremost priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. I am ready to pay the price personally,” Modi asserted, addressing the US tariffs announced on August 7, which include a 25% base rate and an additional 25% for India’s $50.2 billion Russian oil imports. The duties, effective for the base tariff and set for August 27 for the additional levy, threaten India’s $8.1 billion agricultural exports, including rice, spices, and dairy.

Modi released a commemorative coin and stamp honoring Swaminathan, the “father of India’s Green Revolution,” born August 7, 1925, in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. Swaminathan, who passed away on September 28, 2023, at 98, transformed Indian agriculture in the 1960s with high-yielding wheat varieties and modern techniques, boosting food production and alleviating rural poverty. His legacy, Modi noted, continues to inspire India’s agricultural policies, with initiatives like the PM-KISAN scheme disbursing ₹3.45 lakh crore to 11 crore farmers since 2019.

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India’s commerce ministry has called the US tariffs “unjustified,” emphasizing the nation’s energy imports are market-driven to ensure security for its 1.4 billion citizens. Economists warn the tariffs could reduce India’s GDP growth by 0.4%, impacting farmers and MSMEs. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is set to lead trade talks in New Delhi on August 25, aiming to negotiate exemptions for key sectors. The Indian-American diaspora, via Indiaspora, expressed optimism for a resolution, citing the $186 billion US-India trade partnership’s resilience.

Meanwhile, posts on X reflect public support for PM Modi’s stance, with users praising his farmer-centric policies while expressing concern over rising costs for US consumers, particularly for generic drugs and spices. Modi reiterated India’s focus on sustainable agriculture, citing Swaminathan’s vision, and vowed to shield farmers from global trade pressures, ensuring food security and rural prosperity.

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