NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens to shun foreign-made products in favour of locally manufactured goods, amid escalating trade tensions with the United States.
In a public address on Sunday, Modi reignited the “Swadeshi” (made-in-India) movement, urging the nation’s 1.4 billion people to support domestic manufacturing and reduce dependency on imported goods.
“A lot of products we use daily are foreign made — we just don’t know it,” Modi said in his speech, delivered ahead of sweeping consumer tax cuts set to take effect on Monday.
“We must get rid of them. We should buy products that are made in India.”
The appeal comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on imported Indian goods, a move that has strained trade ties between the two democracies.
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In response, Modi’s supporters have launched nationwide campaigns urging boycotts of major American brands such as McDonald’s, Pepsi, and Apple — brands that enjoy widespread popularity across India, even in smaller towns and rural areas.
The Prime Minister also directed Indian retailers and shopkeepers to prioritize selling Indian-made goods, emphasizing that such a shift would directly contribute to domestic economic growth.
“Shopkeepers should focus on local products. It’s not just patriotism — it’s economic empowerment,” he added.
In recent weeks, many companies in India have ramped up marketing and promotion of indigenous products, aligning with the government’s push for economic self-reliance.
Meanwhile, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to travel to Washington, D.C. soon for trade negotiations, in a bid to ease rising tensions and find common ground amid the tariff standoff.
The situation underscores a significant shift in India’s trade posture and could reshape consumer behaviour if the Swadeshi call gains further momentum.
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