In his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public gathering on Saturday, he used his speech to sound a clarion call for adopting indigenously-made goods and promoting ‘Make in India’ to create a robust economy.
While asserting that India is on its way to becoming the world’s third-largest economy, PM Modi said selling and buying Indian-made goods would be the “truest service to the country”.
The Prime Minister’s remarks have come just days after US President Donald Trump called India a "dead economy" and announced a 25 per cent tariff on the import of Indian goods, which is to be levied from August 7. Trump also announced an unspecified "penalty" for buying Russian military equipment and crude oil.
Also Read: Trump poses dual challenge to Modi: Diplomatic and economic
Drawing the public’s attention to the current global scenario, the PM said the world is facing “instability and uncertainty”.
“In such times, countries are focusing solely on their own interests. India, too, is on the path to becoming the world's third-largest economy and must remain alert to its own economic priorities.
At a time when the world is going through uncertainty, let us take a pledge to sell only Swadeshi goods from our shops and markets. Promoting made-in-India goods will be the truest service to the country,” he said.
Asking people to be mindful consumers and adopt the mantra of ‘Vocal for Local’, the PM urged them to ensure that the product they are buying has “the sweat of our people” to qualify as being ‘swadeshi’.
“The feeling of Swadeshi in every action will define our future. This will also be a true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Only through collective effort can we fulfil the dream of a developed India,” he added.
Underscoring the government’s farmer-centric policies and India’s stance on not extending duty concessions on agri products, dairy and GM foods in the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the US, the Prime Minister reiterated that farmers, small industries and employment for youths are the top-most priorities for the government.
With the festival and wedding seasons approaching, the prime minister encouraged people to ensure that all new purchases are made in India.
The Prime Minister also drew people’s attention to various farmer-focused schemes, such as the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme, under which ₹20,500 crore had been directed into the bank accounts of over 9.70 crore farmers under its 20th installment, he informed.
About the newly-approved PM Dhan Dhanya Agriculture Scheme, the PM said it will focus on underdeveloped districts with lower crop production and income, and referred to his development mantra, "the more backward someone is, the higher the priority".
Meanwhile, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, told the Parliament on Thursday that India continued to be the world’s fastest-growing economy. He also added that India “will take all necessary steps to safeguard and promote national interest and that the implications of the US tariffs are being examined”. Goyal spoke in the backdrop of Trump's comments on India being a "dead economy" and that hiked tariff rates would be enforced from August 7 on Indian exports.
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