Modi Vows to Protect Farmers as Trump Builds Tariff Pressure

Yahoo

4 hours ago

(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to safeguard the interests of farmers, a day after President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods, with pressure mounting on New Delhi to open up its markets to US exports.
All Hail the Humble Speed Hump
Mayor Asked to Explain $1.4 Billion of Wasted Johannesburg Funds
Three Deaths Reported as NYC Legionnaires' Outbreak Spreads
Major Istanbul Projects Are Stalling as City Leaders Sit in Jail
PATH Train Service Resumes After Fire at Jersey City Station
The welfare of farmers remain the country's top priority, Modi said at a conference in New Delhi. The government is constantly working to boost their incomes, lower cultivation costs, and diversify their sources of livelihood, he said on Thursday, without making any direct reference to Trump's move to raise tariffs on Indian goods to 50% as a penalty for India's Russian oil purchases.
His commitment to protect farmers comes as Washington wants greater market access for its dairy products and genetically modified crops. It underscores New Delhi's efforts to protect a politically-sensitive sector, while managing stalled trade talks and potential domestic backlash.
'Our government has considered the strength of farmers as the foundation of the nation's progress,' Modi said. 'For us, the welfare of our farmers is the highest priority.'
The world's top milk producer and the second-biggest grower of rice, wheat, sugar and cotton doesn't allow cultivation of GM food crops, even though those varieties can boost yields. The commercial release of genetically altered mustard has been stalled due to a legal challenge in the country's top court, and in 2010, the government rejected a GM variety of brinjal, or eggplant.
However, India is weighing to ease some dairy market access rules for the US, Bloomberg News reported earlier. Currently, the South Asian nation prohibits the import of dairy products if the cattle were given feed made from animal-derived ingredients. The country has a Hindu majority, and cows are considered as sacred.
Farmers are a major voting bloc in the most-populous nation, where millions of smallholders own less than 2 hectares (5 acres) of land.
'India will never compromise' on the interests of its farmers, fishermen and the dairy sector, Modi said.
Russia's Secret War and the Plot to Kill a German CEO
The Pizza Oven Startup With a Plan to Own Every Piece of the Pie
AI Flight Pricing Can Push Travelers to the Limit of Their Ability to Pay
Government Steps Up Campaign Against Business School Diversity
A High-Rise Push Is Helping Mumbai Squeeze in Pools, Gyms and Greenery
©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Errore nel recupero dei dati
Effettua l'accesso per consultare il tuo portafoglio
Errore nel recupero dei dati
Errore nel recupero dei dati
Errore nel recupero dei dati
Errore nel recupero dei dati