NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday that India will not compromise on the interests of its farmers, livestock keepers, and fisherfolk, even as trade tensions with the United States rise.
Modi made the remarks during the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in New Delhi. His comments came just a day after President Donald Trump announced a steep increase in tariffs on Indian goods. The United States doubled the existing tariff rate from 25% to 50%, citing India’s ongoing imports of oil and military equipment from Russia.
Addressing the gathering, Modi emphasized his government’s unwavering support for rural communities. He said farmers, livestock keepers, and fisherfolk are at the core of India’s development.
“India will never compromise on the interests of its farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers,” Modi said. “I know I will have to pay a heavy price for this, but I am ready for it.”
Though he did not directly mention the new U.S. tariffs, his message was widely seen as a response to Washington’s move. Modi’s firm stance signals New Delhi’s intent to resist foreign pressure, particularly when it affects its domestic priorities.
On Wednesday, President Trump said the U.S. would impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total to 50%. The new measure will go into effect in 21 days. Shipments already in transit before the deadline and cleared by September 17 will not be affected.
The White House said the decision follows India’s refusal to end its oil imports from Russia. Trump accused India of “fueling the war machine” through these purchases. He also called India “not a good trading partner,” adding that New Delhi had failed to support American interests.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs strongly rejected the U.S. move. In a statement released Wednesday, the ministry called the additional tariffs “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”
The spokesperson added that India’s energy imports are driven by market needs and its commitment to energy security for 1.4 billion people.
“Unfortunately, the U.S. has chosen to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their national interest,” the statement said.
India has not signed a separate trade deal with the United States. As a result, it falls under the list of countries subject to Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy. On July 30, the U.S. had already imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports as part of that initiative.
India’s opposition leaders criticized the government’s handling of foreign policy. They called the tariff hike a “diplomatic failure.” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that Modi has been silent on the issue due to an ongoing U.S. investigation into the Adani Group, a major Indian conglomerate with close ties to the prime minister.
Gandhi alleged that Modi’s reluctance to confront Washington stems from a desire to avoid scrutiny and protect his political allies.
Despite the rising tension, Modi’s speech reaffirmed his commitment to rural India. “India stands firmly with its farmers,” he said. “I am ready to face whatever it takes for their welfare.”
