Modi Roars on Independence Day: ‘India Will Never Bow to US Tariffs, Farmers and Fishermen Are My First Priority’

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday delivered a fiery Independence Day address, sending a blunt message to Washington that India would never compromise on the interests of its farmers, fishermen, and cattle rearers, even in the face of mounting tariff pressures from the United States.

Reiterating his uncompromising stand for the second time in recent weeks, Modi said: “India’s farmers, India’s cattle rearers, India’s fishermen, these are our biggest priorities. Modi is standing like a wall against any harmful policy related to the farmers of India, the fishermen of India, and the cattle rearers of India. India will never accept any compromise regarding its farmers, its livestock farmers, its fishermen.”

The Prime Minister’s remarks come at a time when US President Donald Trump has imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff and an additional 25% punitive tariff on India, linking it to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. Trump, while announcing the tariffs, controversially bracketed India alongside Russia as “dead economies” allegedly funding the Ukraine war.

While Modi refrained from directly naming Trump in his speech, he sought to project confidence in India’s resilience. “Today the entire world is confident about India’s economy and economic condition. Amidst so much instability, India’s financial discipline, the energy of India’s finance, remains a ray of hope,” he said, underlining that India is moving rapidly toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy.

The backdrop to his statement is equally significant: only a day earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned India of more “sanctions or secondary tariffs” if Trump’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska fail.

Despite the looming threat, Modi urged Indians to turn adversity into opportunity by strengthening domestic markets, conserving energy, and pushing for self-reliance. He revived his earlier mantra of “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” and gave it a new edge with a call for “Dum zyada, daam kam” (best quality, lowest price).

“We should buy and use Made in Bharat,” Modi declared, appealing to citizens to shun unnecessary foreign imports like toys and embrace swadeshi goods. “Let us take pride in Swadeshi. We should use it not out of compulsion, but with strength, for our own strength, and if needed, even to compel others to use it. That should be our power.”

The Prime Minister’s strong words signal that India is unlikely to soften its stance, even as trade tensions with Washington escalate. With the IMD predicting difficult global economic conditions and experts warning of potential export hurdles, Modi’s call for “Vocal for Local” appears to be both a battle cry and a survival strategy.