PM Modi addressed the nation in his annual Independence Day speech and touched on several topics affecting the nation.
In his speech addressing the nation on Independence Day, PM Modi sent a clear and direct message to the people of India and the West. In his speech, the Prime Minister assured farmers, fishermen, and cattle raisers that he stands as a wall between anything that is directed to negatively impact their livelihood.
These comments from PM Modi come during a time when the US has been trying to force India to open its markets for the West, in addition to charging a 25% tariff on Indian imports to US. Donald Trump has also added a penalty of an additional 25% on Indian imports due to India’s continued oil trade with Russia. A move that has severely impacted the India-US relations; the two nations were on good terms before Trump’s tariff policy.
Addressing all of this and the concerns that stem from it, PM Modi gave an assurance during his Independence Day speech that “If any policy is against India's farmers, fishermen, cattle rearers, Modi is standing like a wall.”
“I say this with great experience. Kisi doosre ki lakeer chhoti karne ke liye, apni oorja hamein nahi khapani hai. Hamein poori oorja ke saath hamari lakeer ko lamba karna hai. If we do that, the world will admit our strength. Today, when economic selfishness is rising day by day in the global situation, it is the need of the hour that we don't sit crying over those crises. Himmat ke saath apni lakeer ko lambi karein...If we take that path, no selfishness will not able to entangle us,” said the PM.
Following the tariff announcement by the American President, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement calling them “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” The ministry also provided a reasoning for their continued oil trade with Russia, calling it a way of “ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India.”
Also Read: Trump Says India Tariffs Meant to Push Putin Into Ukraine Talks
US President Donald Trump is all set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, 15th August 2025, for peace negotiations for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The meeting will take place in Anchorage, Alaska; Trump has made it clear from his end that his goal is to reach a peace agreement in this meeting. He has also said that there will be ‘severe consequences’ for Russia if the peace agreement is not reached.
On this, the MEA has issued a statement endorsing this summit and has extended its support. There have also been reports shedding light on the possibility of Russia and the US discussing business ties, which have the potential to impact the current tariff situation.
