PM Modi: No matter how great the pressure, will bear it… politics of economic self-interest

Addressing a gathering in Ahmedabad after launching multiple projects, he hit out at the Congress, saying the party, which ruled India for 60 to 65 years, made the nation dependent on other countries in order to indulge in "import scams".

By: Express News Service

Ahmedabad | Updated: August 26, 2025 05:20 AM IST

3 min read

PM Modi's comments on the rare earth materials shortage come as automakers are feeling the heat of Chinese curbs on the crucial minerals.

Two days before the Trump administration’s tariff penalty on India over its purchase of Russian oil kicks in, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday “no matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand it”.

Addressing a huge gathering in Ahmedabad’s Nikol area, Modi said, “My government will never let harm come the way of small entrepreneurs, farmers, livestock rearers.”

His remarks came a day after US Vice President J D Vance told NBC News that President Donald Trump had applied “aggressive economic leverage”, including “secondary tariffs on India” to “make it harder for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy” and force Russia to stop bombing Ukraine.

Explained | How Trump’s tariffs are hurting the US economy

Modi, without naming the US or its imposition of tariff, told the gathering: “Aaj duniya me arthik swarth wali rajniti (hai), sab koi apna karne me lage hain. Usse hum bhali bhanti dekh rahe hain (Today in this world, there is politics of economic self-interest, everyone looks out for themselves. We are witnessing this). From the soil of Ahmedabad, I wish to tell you, promise you from the land of Gandhi, that the interests of small entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, farmers and livestock rearers are of utmost priority for Modi… Dabav kitna hi kyun na aaye, hum jhelne ki apni takat badhate jayenge (No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand it).”

Read | Ready to support growth, sectors impacted more by US tariffs: RBI Governor

The Prime Minister inaugurated, laid foundation stones and dedicated development works worth Rs 5,400 crore in Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat. These included multiple railway projects worth over Rs 1,400 crore.

PM Modi holds a roadshow in Ahmedabad. (Express photo by Bhupendra Rana)

Calling for Swadeshi and urging people to buy only ‘Make in India’ products, Modi said Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar Bharat are important roadmaps for a Viksit Bharat.

Read | Oil penalty on India aggressive leverage to force Russia: US Vice-President Vance

He said Gujarat is powering the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign, and “behind this energy is hard work of two decades”.

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“Today’s youth did not see the days when there was curfew every other day. It was difficult to do trade and business here. Today, Ahmedabad is among the safest cities in the country… Gujarat has become a manufacturing hub, and is very proud of it,” he said.

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