Modi vows to protect farmers' interests amid US tariff hike over Russian oil

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, August 7 firmly declared that India would not compromise the welfare of its farmers, even at personal or political cost, following a sharp escalation in trade tensions with the United States.

In his first public remarks since U.S. President Donald Trump announced a punitive 50% tariff on Indian goods.

The U.S. administration on Wednesday added an extra 25% duty on Indian imports, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil as the reason behind the move. The new tariff, which takes effect August 28, is among the steepest Washington has imposed on any trading partner.

While Modi did not directly reference the United States or mention the stalled trade talks, his remarks came across as a pointed response to the rising pressure from Washington.

Negotiations between the two countries collapsed after five rounds, with the U.S. demanding greater access to India’s farm and dairy markets and a halt to oil imports from Russia — terms New Delhi has resisted.