India won’t compromise farmers’ interests, Modi to Trump

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that his government would never compromise on the interests of farmers, as they have made the country "self-sufficient" — a subtle message directed at US President Donald Trump amid a stalemate over a trade deal.

"It was a challenge to ensure food for everyone post-independence, but our farmers made us self-sufficient... Modi stands like a wall, won't compromise on farmers," the Prime Minister said in his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech on Friday.

Echoing his government's push for an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', the Prime Minister said, "Being dependent on other countries is a recipe for disaster. We must be self-reliant to safeguard our interests."

Last week too, the Prime Minister said he was ready to personally pay a huge price to protect farmers' interests.

The trade deal has been stuck due to India's reluctance to give in to Trump's pressure to open up its domestic market to US agriculture and dairy products.

Amid the deadlock, Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on India and announced an additional 25% levy over New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil - a revenue source the White House says is sustaining Moscow's war in Ukraine.

'MADE-IN-INDIA CHIPS BY END OF 2025'

Calling the 21st century a "technology-driven century", the Prime Minister said "Made-in-India chips" would hit the markets by the end of this year and underscored that the government was taking several initiatives in the solar, hydrogen, and nuclear sectors.

"We know that we remain dependent on many countries to meet our energy needs. But to build a truly self-reliant India, we must achieve energy independence. In the last 11 years, our solar energy capacity has increased by 30 times... Ten new nuclear reactors are currently operational. By the time India celebrates 100 years of independence, we aim to increase our nuclear energy capacity tenfold," PM Modi said. 

Source: India Today