‘Ready To Pay The Price’: PM Modi's Strong Message To Trump Over Tariffs

A day after US President Donald Trump imposed steep additional tariffs on Indian goods, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a strong response, saying that India would not compromise on the interests of its farmers, livestock rearers, and fishermen. PM Modi’s remarks, seen as a direct message to Washington, come at a time when trade tensions between the two countries have escalated over India’s continued import of Russian oil.

Addressing the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference at Delhi, the Prime Minister said, "The interest of farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise with the interests of its farmers, livestock holders, and fishermen. And I know that I will have to pay a huge price for this personally, but I am ready. India is ready, for the sake of the country's farmers, fishermen, and livestock holders," the Prime Minister said, minutes after Trump's tariffs kicked in.

India exports a wide variety of agricultural products to the US and is one of the sectors set to bear the brunt of Trump's tariffs.

Donald Trump yesterday announced an extra 25 percent tariff on Indian exports as a 'penalty' for New Delhi continuing to import Russian crude oil. Earlier, the US had imposed 25 percent tariffs on Indian exports on July 20.

With the total tariffs on Indian exports to the US rising to 50 percent, the Ministry of External Affairs responded that the US targeting India over Russian oil imports is "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable". Describing the US action as “deeply regrettable," the MEA noted that several other countries continue to import Russian oil in line with their national interests. It said that singling out India for punitive measures was discriminatory and reaffirmed that the government would take “all necessary steps to safeguard the country’s national interests."

While Russian oil remains a sticking point in India–US ties, agriculture has long been a major stumbling block in trade talks, owing to fundamental differences in market access demands, subsidy structures, and food security priorities. The US seeks greater access for its agricultural and dairy products in the Indian market, while India remains protective of its domestic farming sector, which supports a large rural population and operates under minimum support price (MSP) frameworks.

Should retaliate: Tharoor

Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticised Trump’s decision to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, saying that no country can threaten India like that. He urged the Indian government to respond firmly by imposing tariffs on American goods. “If they do this, we should also impose a 50 percent tariff on American exports," he said. “It is not that any country can threaten us like this," he added.