The North News
(Varanasi) Uttar Pradesh, August 2
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday issued his first direct rebuke of US President Donald Trump, delivering a clear message that India would not be intimidated by threats of tariffs. In a speech blending economic nationalism with political resolve, Modi urged Indians to fully embrace swadeshi — the use of locally made goods — declaring it a moral and patriotic obligation.
“From today onward, it is the moral duty of every Indian to buy only country-made products — and to convince others to do the same,” Modi said. “If we want to become the third-largest economy in the world, we must commit to swadeshi with full resolve.”
Without naming Trump, Modi’s remarks left little ambiguity. Addressing the country at a time of global economic instability, Modi called on traders, businesses, and consumers to sell and buy only Indian-made goods — particularly on Diwali, other festivals and wedding seasons. “This is not just a choice; it is a national service,” he said. “Every rupee spent on local products supports a farmer, a small business, a youth entrepreneur. This is how India rises.”
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, Modi positioned the swadeshi movement as both a cultural and economic imperative. He also praised Uttar Pradesh’s rapid industrial growth under BJP rule, contrasting it with what he described as the lawlessness and investor anxiety during the previous Samajwadi Party-led government. “Today, criminals fear the law, and investors are confident. I congratulate the UP government for this pace of development,” Modi said.
The speech took a sharper turn when he accused opposition parties, particularly Congress and the Samajwadi Party, of sympathising with terrorists and undermining the military. “While Pakistan mourns our military strikes, Congress and its allies mourn with them. They called Operation Sindoor a spectacle. They cannot digest that India destroyed Pakistan’s terror camps,” he said.
Modi concluded by reiterating his government’s focus on farmers, noting the success of the PM Kisan Nidhi scheme. “Previous governments made announcements for farmers that never materialised. We deliver what we promise,” he said.
