Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday gave a clear message to US President Donald Trump during the ongoing trade talks. Without naming the US directly, Modi emphasized that his government will protect small entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, farmers, and cattle rearers from any adverse impact. The Prime Minister spoke from Ahmedabad, underlining that India’s interests, particularly those of its farmers and small producers, remain paramount. This statement comes after the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods and additional penalties on Russian oil transactions, which India has described as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”
Modi Stands Firm on Farmers’ and Producers’ Interests
“All of you are witnessing the kind of politics driven by economic self-interest that is happening in the world today,” PM Modi said. He addressed small entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, farmers, and cattle rearers, assuring them that his government will safeguard their interests. He stressed that no matter how much pressure comes from global powers, India will continue strengthening its capacity to withstand economic challenges.
#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “Today in the world, everyone is busy doing politics based on economic interests. From this land of Ahmedabad, I will tell my small entrepreneurs, my small shopkeeper brothers and sisters, my farmer brothers and… pic.twitter.com/aYGcdyiEPs
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025
In a separate event on August 7, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to its farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. He said, “For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. I know personally, I will have to pay a heavy price for it, but I am ready for it.” These remarks signal India’s willingness to endure economic pressure to uphold the welfare of its primary producers.
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India Challenges Western Double Standards on Russia
India’s stance on Russia has drawn criticism from the US, yet Indian officials have actively strengthened ties with Moscow while National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently visited Russia to enhance bilateral relations. PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have held two telephonic conversations within a month.
#WATCH | Delhi: At The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “Negotiations (India-US trade negotiations) are still going on. But the bottom line is we have some red lines. Negotiations are still going on in the sense that nobody said the negotiations… pic.twitter.com/deCHoeDSrx
— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025
During a press briefing in Moscow, Jaishankar noted that the US encouraged India to buy Russian oil to stabilize the global energy market, even as the European Union remains the largest purchaser of Russian LNG. He clarified that India’s trade with Russia does not surpass other nations in the South and emphasized that India also imports oil from the US, with volumes increasing in recent years.
Ongoing India-US Trade Negotiations
Jaishankar confirmed that discussions between Washington and New Delhi are ongoing. He stressed India’s “red lines,” primarily protecting farmers and small producers. “Negotiations are still going on in the sense that nobody said the negotiations are off. People do talk to each other. It’s not like there’s a ‘kutti’ there,” he said at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025.
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Commenting on Trump’s policies, Jaishankar noted, “We’ve not had a US President who’s conducted foreign policy as publicly as the current one. That itself is a departure not limited to India. President Trump’s way of dealing with the world, even dealing with his own country, is a major departure from the traditional orthodox manner of doing so.”
