PM Modi's powerful 'swadeshi' message as Trump tariff deadline nears

PM Modi has called for visible promotion, such as ‘swadeshi’ boards outside shops, to boost self-reliance

A day before Donald Trump's 50% tariffs were set to take effect on India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday emphasised on the importance of being self-reliant and going "swadeshi" in a powerful speech from his state of Gujarat.

After inaugurating Maruti Suzuki’s electric car and battery plant in Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister advised Indians to “walk proudly towards self-reliance”.

“Swadeshi should become our life mantra — walk proudly towards self-reliance. I don’t care whose money is being invested — whether it’s in dollars or pounds — but what matters to me is whose sweat and hard work is behind it and that should be,” he said.

The ties between New Delhi and Washington are under strain after the US imposed steep 50% tariffs on India over its oil trade with Russia.

The US on Monday outlined plans to implement a 50 percent tariff on products from India, in a draft notice published by the Department of Homeland Security.

PM Modi has sent signals of solidarity and resolve despite the tariff storm, saying that his government will continue to safeguard the interests of small entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, farmers, and animal keepers despite global economic pressures.

He has mounted a strong pitch for “swadeshi” products, urging Indians to back local manufacturing and cut reliance on foreign imports.

During his address in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, Modi described Gujarat as the land of two Mohans—Lord Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi.

He urged citizens to celebrate upcoming festivals such as Navratri, Vijayadashami, Dhanteras, and Diwali by promoting self-reliance. He added that citizens should adopt the mantra of buying only 'Made in India' products, urging people to choose indigenous goods and encouraging businesses to avoid selling imported items.

Clarion call on Independence Day

In his longest Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15, PM Modi spoke at length on ‘Atmanirbharta’ and ‘swadeshi’. He urged the people to embrace “swadeshi” and detailed his government’s commitment to achieve self-reliance across sectors.

From defence to tech, space to semi-conductors and start-ups, energy to minerals, economy to agriculture, pharma to fertilisers, the PM exhorted the citizens to be self-reliant and move ahead with “even greater strength”.

“Atmanirbharta is the need of the time. Self-reliance is the cornerstone of building a Vikshit Bharat. Together, 140 crore Indians will make an ecosystem that will realise our dream of an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” PM Modi said.

He called for visible promotion, such as ‘swadeshi’ boards outside shops, to boost self-reliance. “We will embrace Swadeshi with confidence, not out of necessity, and use it to set an example for others when needed,” he said.

The repeated messaging comes at a time when the world is facing trade disruptions and tariff threats from the Trump administration.

Even before his I-Day speech, PM Modi on August 7 said India would not compromise on the interests of its farmers, fishermen or dairy farmers, even if it meant him "paying a heavy price".