PM Modi urges Indians to buy locally made goods amid Turkey, Azerbaijan boycott calls
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to reduce their dependence on foreign goods and use domestically made products instead, saying it is vital to India's goal of becoming a developed nation and the world's third-largest economy by 2047.
Modi's remarks on Tuesday came in the wake of a four-day conflict with Pakistan, triggered by a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir by Pakistan-backed terrorists. In response, India launched targeted strikes against terrorist camps across the border.
Addressing an event at Gandhinagar during a two-day visit to Gujarat, Modi said India must aim to become a developed nation and the third-largest economy by 2047 through collective effort and commitment. "We must not use foreign goods (and promote domestically made products)," he said. Businessmen should avoid selling foreign products no matter how profitable it is, he added.
A strong boycott movement has gained momentum in India after Turkey and Azerbaijan reportedly backed Pakistan during the recent conflict. Indian tour operators have withdrawn promotional packages to both countries, social media is abuzz with boycott calls, and many Indian tourists are cancelling their travel plans to these destinations. The ground-handling license of Turkish company Celebi at Indian airports has been withdrawn.
'Operation Sindoor began with the strength of our armed forces on the night of 6 May, and will now advance with the strength of the people,' Modi said. "Every citizen must become a partner in the nation's development," he added.
Modi said government initiatives such as 'Vocal for Local' and 'One District One Product' (ODOP) would drive reliance on domestic products. He added that Indians should aim to use domestic products, except those that are not made locally and must be imported.
He underscored the government's goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, saying there would be no compromise in achieving this milestone. India's urban centers, including tier 2 and tier 3 cities, should become vibrant hubs of economic growth and activity, he added.
The Bharatiya Janta Party-led government's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' initiative aims to transform India into a developed nation by the centenary of its independence. The initiative prioritises inclusive economic growth, social equity, environmental sustainability, and strong governance, laying the foundation for a prosperous and resilient India, according to the government. It also aims for robust adoption of renewable energy, world-class education, improved healthcare, enhanced infrastructure, transparent governance, and inclusive development.
The prime minister said India has become the world's fourth-largest economy, marking a proud milestone for the nation. He said there was widespread excitement, especially among the youth, when India advanced from sixth to fifth place by surpassing the United Kingdom, which ruled India for 250 years.
Modi also said the recent conflict could no longer be seen as a proxy war, highlighting that terrorists killed after 6 May were honoured with state ceremonies in Pakistan. He said this reflected a deliberate war strategy rather than proxy actions, and that the adversary had received a proportionate response.
He added, however, that India remains committed to peace and progress, and aims to contribute to global welfare.
Modi's call to reduce dependence on foreign goods and boost domestic production also comes against the backdrop of rising trade reliance on China and Beijing's reported support to Pakistan during the recent conflict. His remarks reflect growing concern about the strategic risks of economic dependence amid regional security tensions. India goods trade with China touched $113.45 billion in FY25, with a record trade deficit of $99.2 billion.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
18 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Will go ahead with Siang dam only after public nod, says Arunachal CM amid protests
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Friday said a public hearing would be conducted once the pre-feasibility report for the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Hydropower Project (SUMHP) is completed and underlined that the consent of local residents would be key to the government's decision on the project. The chief minister's comments come days after a meeting on the pre-feasibility report (PFR) for the contentious project in Upper Siang district spiralled into chaos on May 27 after villagers opposing the mega hydropower project stormed into the meeting and disrupted the proceedings. Khandu stressed that the PFR was a preliminary, non-intrusive assessment only focused on geological viability. 'Once the PFR is complete, we will hold a public hearing and only proceed based on the will of the people,' he said. The report, he noted, will identify the likely submergence areas, the number of affected villages, and necessary mitigation measures. Khanu said the project was of strategic value and was not just a project aimed at generating electricity. 'This is not just a hydropower project. It is a national security necessity,' he said. The chief minister pointed to China's plans to construct a 60,000 MW project near the Indian border. 'China's unilateral dam construction poses serious challenges to the flow of the Siang River. If they release excess water, it could trigger devastating floods in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Conversely, if they withhold water, the river could reduce to a narrow stream in winter,' Khandu said. In December, China approved the construction of what will be the world's biggest hydropower dam on the eastern rim of the ecologically fragile Tibetan plateau. The approval triggered concerns about the impact of the dam, which could affect millions downstream in India and Bangladesh. Khandu said China was not a signatory to the United Nations Watercourses Convention and, as such, is not legally obligated to share hydrological data or consult with downstream nations on transboundary rivers. 'In the absence of a water-sharing treaty, we must act responsibly and construct necessary safeguards on our side,' he said. Drawing a comparison with the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan, Khandu warned that during hostilities or national emergencies, such treaties may be suspended, leaving countries exposed. 'We must prepare for all contingencies. Water security is as critical as national defence,' he added. Khandu also affirmed that both the state and central governments are on the same page regarding the project. 'Let the PFR be completed first. Only then will we comprehensively address all technical, environmental, and social aspects, including compensation and rehabilitation,' he said. The project has faced resistance from civil society groups. The Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), in particular, has been vocal against the project, accusing the government and local legislators of pushing the plan without adequate research or public consultation. 'Villagers are mostly unaware of the dam's implications. Ground verification and awareness drives should have been conducted much earlier,' SIFF spokesperson Talong Mize said recently, demanding greater transparency and the involvement of subject-matter experts to explain the project's environmental and technical dimensions to affected communities.
Indian Express
19 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Two Indian peacekeepers honoured posthumously for sacrifice in line of duty on International Peacekeepers Day
Two Indian peacekeepers, who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag last year, were honoured posthumously by the United Nations on International Day of UN Peacekeepers. Brigadier General Amitabh Jha, who served with the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), and Havildar Sanjay Singh, who was deployed with the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), were honoured with the Dag Hammarskjold medal at a solemn ceremony here on Thursday on the occasion of International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish received the Dag Hammarskjold Medal on behalf of the families of fallen Indian Peacekeepers from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the solemn ceremony in the UN headquarters. 'The departed peacekeepers remind us of the sacrifices made for the greater and collective good of humanity. Blue Helmets continue to be the face of the United Nations in crises all over the world, bringing peace and reassurance to those most critically affected. UN Peacekeeping is true multilateralism in action,' the Permanent Mission of India to the UN said in a post on X. India also 'remembered late Brigadier Amitabh Jha (UNDOF), Havildar Sanjay Singh (MONUSCO) & Col (Retd.) Waibhav Anil Kale whom we lost last year.' India is the 4th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping. It currently deploys more than 5,300 military and police personnel to the UN peace operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara. Guterres laid a wreath to honour the more than 4,400 UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948. He then presided over the solemn ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjöld Medals were awarded posthumously to 57 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers, who lost their lives serving under the UN flag last year. The Secretary-General also presented awards to the 2024 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme from Ghana and the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year award to Superintendent Zainab Gbla of Sierra Leone. Both of them serve with the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA). Last year, Major Radhika Sen, who served with the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), received the prestigious '2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award' from Guterres. The theme for this year's International Day of UN Peacekeepers is the 'Future of Peacekeeping', which emphasises that the 'Pact for the Future' – adopted by world leaders in September last year – includes a commitment to adapt peacekeeping to the changing world, the release added. In his message for the Day, Guterres said that 'today, peacekeepers face increasingly complex situations in an increasingly complex world… Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations — and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today's realities and tomorrow's challenges.' Honouring the service of the peacekeepers, Guterres said, 'We draw inspiration from their resilience, dedication and courage. And we remember all the brave women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace. We will never forget them – and we will carry their work forward.' Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said in his message that peacekeeping personnel are 'our most important capability. The sacrifices made by our peacekeepers call for more than remembrance; they demand action.' 'Throughout its history, peacekeeping has always adapted to ever-changing contexts to achieve results. The future of peacekeeping hinges on our collective commitment to continue to adapt and invest—so we can continue delivering hope and protection where it's needed most,' he added. The International Day of UN Peacekeepers was established by the UN General Assembly in 2002 to pay tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. In 1948, the decision was made to deploy military observers to the Middle East to supervise the implementation of Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements, in what became the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation. Since then, more than two million peacekeepers have served in 71 operations globally. Today, about 68,000 women and men serve as military, police and civilian personnel in 11 conflict zones across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and 119 countries currently contribute uniformed personnel.
Indian Express
19 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Turkey's Erdogan repeats opposition to interest rates, but says economic programme to continue
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Friday vowed to continue his opposition to interest rates, while saying Ankara was determined to press on with its current economic programme until all of its goals are achieved. Speaking at a Global Islamic Economy Summit in Istanbul, Erdogan said work must be done to change and find alternatives to the interest rates-based economic system, adding that such a system cannot be viewed as legitimate. Turkey had launched the programme to reverse the effects of Erdogan's unorthodox views that interest rates cause inflation. Erdogan, a self-proclaimed 'enemy' of interest rates, said that the programme was yielding positive results and that its end-goal was single-digit inflation.
