New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India would not compromise on the interests of its farmers, fishermen or dairy farmers, even if it meant him “paying a heavy price”.
The Prime Minister’s remarks came as a first response to US President Donald Trump’s decision to increase India’s tariff rate to 50 per cent, up from 25 per cent, for importing Russian oil.
Speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference, PM Modi said, “For us, the welfare of our farmers is the highest priority. India will never compromise on the interests of its farmers, livestock rearers, and fishermen. I know that I will have to pay a heavy personal price for this. But I am ready for it.”
He added, “India stands prepared today for its fishermen, livestock rearers, and every farmer of this nation. We are consistently working towards increasing farmers’ incomes, reducing the cost of cultivation, and creating new sources of earnings. Our government has considered the strength of farmers as the foundation of the nation’s progress.”
On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order raising tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent. He cited India’s continued imports of Russian oil as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States.
The first tranche of a 25 per cent tariff took effect Thursday. The second 25 per cent hike is scheduled to be implemented on August 27.
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