DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens to shift away from foreign-made goods and instead support locally produced products, as trade relations with the United States continue to sour.
In a public address on Sunday, Modi emphasized the importance of a self-reliant economy, urging people to embrace “Swadeshi” or made-in-India goods. His comments follow US President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 50% tariff on imported Indian goods, a move that has prompted Modi to promote local alternatives.
“A lot of products we use daily are foreign-made, we just don’t know … we will have to get rid of them,” Modi stated. He also highlighted the need for people to buy Indian-made products, though he refrained from naming specific countries.
India, with its population of 1.4 billion, has long been a lucrative market for American consumer goods, many of which are sold through online platforms like Amazon. Over time, American brands have penetrated deep into smaller towns across the country.
The Prime Minister also urged shopkeepers to prioritize selling locally made products, arguing that it would help boost India’s economic growth. In recent weeks, several companies have begun ramping up their efforts to promote indigenous products.
Meanwhile, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to visit Washington soon for trade talks, as both countries look to address the growing strain in their bilateral relations.
