India’s growth not liked by those assuming to be ‘everyone’s boss’: Rajnath takes dig at US

In the first direct response from India’s top political leadership on the US trade tariffs, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said some people who assumed themselves to be “everyone’s boss” were not liking the country’s rapid economic growth.

Without naming the US or President Donald Trump who recently slapped 50 per cent punitive tariffs on imports from India over Russian oil purchase, Rajnath described the country’s economy as the world’s “most dashing and dynamic”.

In his address after performing the ‘bhoomi pujan’ of a rail coach manufacturing unit of Bharat Earth Movers Limited in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district, the minister said, “They think ‘sabke boss toh hum hain’ (we are everyone’s boss) and how is India growing at such a fast pace? Many people are trying to do something so that when India-made goods go to countries across the world, they become more expensive than the locally manufactured things and people do not buy them.”

However, the speed at which India was moving ahead, no power in the world can stop it from becoming a big power globally, he said. Though the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had put out two statements over the past week on the US tariffs, Rajnath’s response is crucial as he is part of the Cabinet Committee on Security, which is chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The MEA had termed the additional US tariffs as “extremely unfortunate, unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”. The ministry had also said that India would take all necessary actions to protect its national interests.

Rajnath today said the country’s economy had risen from the 11th position in 2014 to fourth currently. Citing an example, he said the country earlier used to fulfil most of its defence needs through imports. “But now, things have changed drastically. India not only manufactures military equipment for itself, but is even exporting to several countries,” he said.

The Defence Minister also defined the outcome of Operation Sindoor, saying India possessed the capability to defeat its enemies with home-grown strength. “We do not provoke anyone, but those who provoke us will not be spared,” he said.

Rajnath termed Operation Sindoor as a befitting reply to the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack on civilians in Pahalgam. “The decisive response sent out a loud and clear message that India no longer tolerates an attack on its integrity and sovereignty,” he said.

The minister said Operation Sindoor was a symbol of the country’s self-reliance and self-confidence. “Our armed forces effectively utilised indigenous equipment, which played a pivotal role in the success of the operation. India was able to reach this position only because it has taken the pledge to become Aatmanirbhar in the defence sector,” Rajnath added.