Following a rise in trade tensions over India’s ongoing oil purchases from Russia, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a widely reported and unambiguous response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration of harsh new tariffs on Indian exports.
Speaking to the public and media, Modi stressed that India “will not compromise” on the rights of its farmers, dairy producers, and fishers, even if doing so means that the nation or Modi personally “pay a heavy price.”
As announced in early August 2025, Trump’s decision would increase tariffs on Indian exports to the United States from 25% to a punitive 50%, one of the highest tariff walls erected on any U.S. trading partner.
According to the White House, the action was specifically taken in response for India’s continued energy agreements with Russia, which Washington claims contribute to funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine. These tariffs, which are scheduled to go into effect on August 28, follow five rounds of fruitless negotiations between the two nations. The main points of contention were the United States’ demands for increased access to Indian dairy, fisheries, and agricultural markets as well as restrictions on the import of Russian petroleum.
Modi made a strong, nationally televised defense of India’s autonomous policy stance in his speech, without specifically mentioning Trump: “For us, the interest of our farmers is top priority.” The interests of its farmers, dairy farmers, and fishers will not be compromised by India. Although I am aware that I will personally have to pay a high price, I am ready for it. He dismissed predictions of additional economic hardship and emphasized India’s willingness to bear the repercussions in order to protect its sovereignty and the livelihoods of rural Indians, making it plain that concessions to American pressure would not be forthcoming.
In response to Modi’s comments, India’s foreign ministry called the U.S. tariffs “extremely unfortunate” and promised to do everything in its power to safeguard India’s interests as a nation. Although about $40 billion of India’s exports to the United States—less than 5% of its total exports worldwide—are impacted by the increased import taxes, analysts pointed out that the effects are particularly noticeable in the targeted industries and intensify a general atmosphere of trade tension.
Notably, India emphasized that its agreements with Russia were first pushed by Western allies to maintain the stability of the world market after European markets diverted Russian supplies. It also protested Washington’s exclusion of India from the tariffs, while larger importers, such as China, were exempt.
In response to Modi’s comments, India’s foreign ministry called the U.S. tariffs “extremely unfortunate” and promised to do everything in its power to safeguard India’s interests as a nation. Although about $40 billion of India’s exports to the United States—less than 5% of its total exports worldwide—are impacted by the increased import taxes, analysts pointed out that the effects are particularly noticeable in the targeted industries and intensify a general atmosphere of trade tension.
Notably, India emphasized that its agreements with Russia were first pushed by Western allies to maintain the stability of the world market after European markets diverted Russian supplies. It also protested Washington’s exclusion of India from the tariffs, while larger importers, such as China, were exempt.
