‘If you’re Indian, buy made-in-India products only’: PM Modi to citizens ahead of festive season

These remarks assume significance against the background of India facing one of the highest rates of tariffs imposed by its largest trading partner. The Indian Express has reported that the US has “halted” the scheduled visit of officials from Washington DC to India for the second half of August. The newspaper has also reported the massive disruption being experienced by labour-intensive sectors such as footwear, gems and jewellery, textiles, and fisheries due to the high tariffs on India.

Modi also accused the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress of degrading Delhi’s condition as well as of drafting draconian laws. “For the longest time, we were not even close to power in Delhi. Previous governments have destroyed Delhi during their tenures. They had pushed Delhi into a ditch. It is very difficult to pull Delhi out of problems that have accumulated over the years. But I am confident that the BJP team you have chosen in Delhi will solve these,” he said.

“Earlier governments used to consider Swachhta Mitras their slaves. These people who dance keeping the Constitution on their head, they used to trample on it and betray the beliefs of Babasaheb,” he said.

The prime minister also said he had removed a provision of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act under which a Swachhta Mitra can be imprisoned for a month if they don’t come to work for one day without informing the authorities.