Hours before the US tariff was kicked off on India, the country too had launched a campaign boosting swadeshi goods. On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged a ‘swadeshi’ push to withstand the pressure of the tariff imposed as a penalty on India for importing Russian oil. With more tariffs looming, the Swadeshi push is perfectly timed as festive seasons approach. “Businessmen should keep a big board outside their establishments, saying they sell ‘swadeshi’ goods,” the PM said, referring specifically to the shopping season ahead on account of a series of festivals. He was speaking at an event in Ahmedabad in his home state of Gujarat. This comes as India consistently hardens its stance against the US tariff regime affecting international trade.
#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "This is the season of festivals. Now Navratri, Vijayadashami, Dhanteras, Diwali… all these festivals are coming. These are celebrations of our culture but they should also be celebrations of self-reliance.… pic.twitter.com/6xzsK0ybIZ
---Advertisement---— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025
In another event, Addressing a huge gathering in Ahmedabad’s Nikol area, Modi said, “My government will never let harm come the way of small entrepreneurs, farmers, livestock rearers.” PM Also added that “No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand it”.
His remarks came a day after US Vice President J. D. Vance told NBC News that President Donald Trump had used strong economic pressure on India, including extra tariffs, to make it harder for Russia to earn money from its oil trade and to force Russia to stop bombing Ukraine.
Modi, without naming the US or its imposition of tariff, told the gathering: “Aaj duniya me arthik swarth wali rajniti (hai), sab koi apna karne me lage hain. Usse hum bhali bhanti dekh rahe hain (Today, the world is driven by politics of economic self-interest, where everyone focuses on their own benefit, and we can clearly see this happening now). From Ahmedabad, Modi said he wants to make a promise from the land of Gandhi.
He said the interests of small business owners, shopkeepers, farmers, and livestock rearers are his top priority. … Dabav kitna hi kyun na aaye, hum jhelne ki apni takat badhate jayenge (No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand it).”
