Pressure may rise, but will bear it: PM Modi on tariff

Ahead of the August 27 deadline for additional 25 per cent US tariffs on Indian goods, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday vowed to “bear” any pressure on his government as he assured small entrepreneurs, farmers and cattle-rearers of protecting their interests.

PM Modi, speaking at a public rally in Ahmedabad after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 5,400 crore, said his government would never allow any harm done to small traders and farmers as they remained his government’s top priority.

“No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep strengthening ourselves to withstand it…,” said the PM, while cautioning that the “pressure may increase”.

Asserting that Gujarat’s two decades of hard work had given fresh momentum to the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the PM urged citizens to buy “swadeshi” products. “Upcoming festivals such as Navratri and Diwali should not only be cultural celebrations but also occasions to strengthen self-reliance,” he said.

Modi encouraged businesses to stop stocking imported items, saying small choices could significantly advance India’s growth and prosperity. He accused pervious Congress governments of deliberately keeping India dependent on imports for decades and said such policies allowed corruption to thrive. In contrast, he claimed, India was now building its future on the foundation of self-reliance.

Referring to national security, Modi said India had shown zero tolerance towards terrorism. He pointed to country’s swift retaliation to the Pahalgam attack, saying the armed forces had displayed courage and determination through Operation Sindoor.

The PM recalled that during his tenure in Gujarat, he was unable to take forward renovation work at Sabarmati Ashram because the then central government had not cooperated.

He said the ashram would now emerge as a global symbol of peace and inspiration. Modi also criticised the Congress for allegedly undermining Mahatma Gandhi’s vision despite ruling in his name for decades.

This was PM’s second largesse for Gujarat since May, when he had dedicated projects worth over Rs 24,000 crore in Dahod. Earlier in February 2024, the PM had inaugurated projects worth Rs 48,000 crore, including the first AIIMS in Gujarat.