Latest news with #SwadeshiJagaranManch
Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
RSS affiliate rues surge in Chinese imports, calls for boycotting foreign goods
Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM), the economic wing of the RSS, on Friday conceded that despite a call for boycott of Chinese goods in the past, imports from the country have increased. 'It is true that despite the patriotic public boycotting China and other foreign goods, imports from China have increased in the last few years,' SJM's convener Ashwani Mahajan said. The outfit blamed this trend on e-commerce platforms and foreign brands violating rules, apart from 'poor confidence' of India's business community in the country's manufacturing capabilities. Mahajan announced a nationwide campaign for promoting indigenous goods, which he sought to link with national security in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor. He said the campaign was inspired by PM Narendra Modi's call in Gandhinagar earlier this week that traders must take a pledge to not sell foreign goods. On Tuesday, Modi had made a veiled attack on imported goods by pointing out how 'small-eyed' Ganesh idols were coming from abroad. 'We must encourage village traders to pledge that no matter how much profit they make, they will not sell foreign goods,' he had said. Suggesting that this statement was in context of Chinese products, the SJM said, 'Our forceful retaliation to Pakistan's misadventure has also brought to light our friends and foes. It is a welcome decision to snap or reduce trade relations with those countries which have helped our enemy in this recent war.' India's imports from China have surged significantly in the past five years, with a cumulative trade deficit exceeding $387 billion from 2018-19 to 2023-24. India's imports from China have grown from around $70 billion in 2018-19 to over $101 billion in 2023-24, while exports have been relatively stagnant around $16 billion annually. 'The reason for this (surge) is that Chinese goods are also sold in India in a disguised manner; sometimes by removing the Chinese label and putting the Made in India label, sometimes by e-commerce companies and foreign brands violating the rule of origin and sometimes by importing from China in the form of intermediate goods,' Mahajan said.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Watch: Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) on US Tariff war and India
In this episode, we are going to talk about a war of a different nature altogether — the tariff war started by the United States, tariff negotiations, and what it means for world trade. Today, for the first time on this show, I'll be doing an interview. We will be speaking to Dr. Ashwani Mahajan, the co-convener of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, the economic wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Dr. Mahajan has been an influential voice in shaping India's economic and trade policies. He sheds light on India's decision to exit RCEP and more. Script & Presentation: Nistula Hebbar Production: Shibu Narayan
Hans India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
SJM calls for economic sanctions, tourism boycott of Turkey
Hyderabad: The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) condemns Turkey's military support to Pakistan and calls for economic sanctions, flight ban, and tourism boycott. It said that Turkey, a NATO member and a supposed secular republic, has increasingly aligned itself with radical Islamist regimes and military establishments hostile to Bharat's sovereignty. In recent years, Turkey's strategic defence partnership with Pakistan has grown at an alarming pace, with the Turkish government supplying critical military hardware, technological platforms, and training to Pakistan's armed forces.
The Print
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
RSS affiliate calls for economic sanctions against Türkiye for military support to Pakistan
'SJM reiterates that people of Bharat must boycott nations actively helping Pakistan build its offensive capabilities. The principle of 'Nation First' must guide our trade, investment, and diplomatic relationships,' it said in a statement, while urging 'patriotic' citizens to boycott Turkish products, travel and cultural exports in national interest and solidarity with Indian soldiers. SJM has also suggested discouraging outbound tourism to Türkiye, issuing a travel advisory to Indian citizens against visiting, and withdrawing tourism promotion co-operation as part of the sanctions. New Delhi: Condemning Türkiye's military support to Pakistan, the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) has called for economic sanctions against the country. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliate has appealed to the Narendra Modi government to temporarily suspend direct flights to Türkiye and revoke aviation codeshare privileges until it halts defence equipment supplies to Pakistan. Last week, amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions in the wake of India's launch of Operation Sindoor—targeting nine terror hubs in Pakistan—the Indian government had said that Pakistan used Turkish drones to infiltrate Indian airspace. SJM said that despite a series of gestures of solidarity and goodwill, Türkiye has chosen to side with 'Bharat's adversaries in matters of vital national security interest'. 'This betrayal of trust must be addressed with moral clarity and strategic firmness,' the statement read. It further said that India contributes significantly to Türkiye's tourism revenue: 'In 2024/25, nearly 4 lakh Indian tourists visited Türkiye. Dozens of weekly direct flights operate between major Indian cities and Istanbul, operated by Turkish Airlines and Indian carriers'. Ashwani Mahajan, the national co-convenor of SJM, said, 'Türkiye, a NATO member and a supposed secular republic, has increasingly aligned itself with radical Islamist regimes and military establishments hostile to Bharat's sovereignty. In recent years, Türkiye's strategic defence partnership with Pakistan has grown at an alarming pace, with the Turkish government supplying critical military hardware, technological platforms, and training to Pakistan's armed forces.' He said it was shocking that Türkiye, 'the second-largest arms supplier to Pakistan after China', has played a key role in modernising Pakistan's navy and enhancing its aerial warfare capabilities. 'It's unfortunate that Türkiye didn't even condemn the brutal terror attack at Pahalgam killing 26 people on April 22.' Suggesting a series of the 'urgent steps', SJM urged the 'government of Bharat' to 'impose economic sanctions by restricting non-essential imports from Türkiye and impose higher duties on key Turkish commodities, such as marble, chemicals, and machinery'. The organisation suggested promoting domestic alternatives, and urged Indian businesses and consumers to switch to 'Bharatiya substitutes for Turkish goods, and promote domestic destinations in place of Istanbul, Antalya, and Cappadocia'. It also asked the government to re-evaluate diplomatic engagements between the two nations, including reducing the level of diplomatic and cultural exchanges with Türkiye, and reassessing all bilateral agreements. Also Read: NATO member Türkiye expresses solidarity with Pakistan against 'India's unprovoked aggression' 'Unholy alliance' Outlining some of the 'most disturbing' developments, SJM said that Türkiye delivered MILGEM-class warships to Pakistan under a $1.5 billion deal, strengthening Pakistan's naval strike capabilities. 'Turkish company Baykar has supplied Pakistan with Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı armed drones—platforms already proven in conflicts in Libya, Syria, and Azerbaijan. Türkiye's STM is upgrading Pakistan's Agosta 90B submarines under a $350 million agreement. An electronic warfare test range has been established in Pakistan with the help of HAVELSAN, Türkiye's defence electronics major,' it added. Condemning the 'unholy alliance', which it said directly compromises India's national security, SJM said that the defence collaboration is not just commercial, but also ideological, 'targeting the stability of South Asia and emboldening Pakistan's military adventurism'. 'At a time when Bharat has exercised tremendous restraint in the face of repeated provocations from Pakistan—including the harbouring of terror camps and aggressive posturing near the Line of Control—Türkiye's support amounts to direct complicity,' it added. The organisation also highlighted how India has provided humanitarian support to Türkiye in the past. 'It seems Türkiye has forgotten Bharat's generous and timely humanitarian assistance to Türkiye in its times of crisis. Bharat has stood by Türkiye not only as a trading partner, but as a responsible global power demonstrating 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam',' it said. SJM cited examples, including the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye in February 2023. 'Bharat was one of the first countries to launch Operation Dost, dispatching rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army medical teams, field hospitals, and over 100 tons of relief material, including medical supplies, generators, tents, and blankets,' it said. 'On multilateral platforms like the G20 and UN, Bharat has consistently supported inclusive engagement with Türkiye as part of the broader West Asian neighbourhood, including dialogue on energy security and counter-terrorism.' (Edited by Mannat Chugh) Also Read: How 4-day India-Pakistan conflict made travel agents cancel Turkey, Azerbaijan bookings
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
RSS affiliate calls for sanctions against Turkey over its ‘unholy alliance' with Pakistan
Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, the economic wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Wednesday (May 14, 2025) condemned Turkey's military support to Pakistan, urging the government to impose economic sanctions and flight ban and discourage tourism with the country. The SJM also appealed to the people of India to avoid travelling to Turkey and boycott its products in solidarity with the country's soldiers and national interest. This comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following their four-day military confrontation. The conflict saw Pakistan unleash swarms of Turkish drones to target Indian military facilities. 'It is shocking to note that Turkey, the second-largest arms supplier to Pakistan after China, has played a key role in modernising Pakistan's navy and enhancing its aerial warfare capabilities. 'This defence collaboration is not just commercial; it is ideological, targeting the stability of South Asia and emboldening Pakistan's military adventurism,' SJM national co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan said in a statement. The SJM strongly condemns this 'unholy alliance' that directly compromises India's national security, he said. At a time when India has exercised 'tremendous restraint' in the face of repeated provocations from Pakistan, including harbouring terror camps and aggressive posturing near the Line of Control, Turkey's support amounts to 'direct complicity', he added. 'The Swadeshi Jagran Manch, while reaffirming its commitment to peaceful international engagement rooted in mutual respect and sovereignty, recommends that the government of Bharat impose economic sanctions, suspend civil aviation links, discourage outbound tourism and re-evaluate diplomatic engagements with Turkey,' Mr. Mahajan said. 'Restrict non-essential imports from Turkey and impose higher duties on key Turkish commodities such as marble, chemicals and machinery. Temporarily suspend direct flights to Turkey and revoke aviation codeshare privileges until Turkey halts defence supplies to Pakistan,' he asked the government. 'Issue a travel advisory to Indian citizens against visiting Turkey and withdraw tourism promotion cooperation. Reduce the level of diplomatic and cultural exchanges with Turkey, and reassess all bilateral agreements,' he added. Mr. Mahajan also suggested the government to urge Indian businesses and consumers to switch to Indian substitutes for Turkish goods and promote domestic destinations in place of Istanbul, Antalya and Cappadocia. Turkey, a NATO member and a 'supposed secular republic', has increasingly aligned itself with 'radical Islamist regimes' and military establishments hostile to India's sovereignty, the SJM claimed. In recent years, Turkey's strategic defence partnership with Pakistan has grown at an alarming pace, with the Turkish government supplying critical military hardware, technological platforms and training to Pakistan's armed forces, it said. 'The Swadeshi Jagran Manch reiterates that the people of Bharat must boycott nations actively helping Pakistan build its offensive capabilities. The principle of 'Nation First' must guide our trade, investment, and diplomatic relationships,' Mr. Mahajan said. It's unfortunate that Turkey didn't even condemn the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, he added. Mr. Mahajan said India stood by Turkey not only as a trading partner but as a responsible global power demonstrating the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family). 'During the devastating earthquakes in February 2023, Bharat was one of the first countries to launch Operation Dost, dispatching rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force, army medical teams, field hospitals, and over 100 tonnes of relief material including medical supplies, generators, tents and blankets,' he said. 'It seems Turkey has forgotten Bharat's generous and timely humanitarian assistance. Despite these gestures of solidarity and goodwill, Turkey has chosen to side with Bharat's adversaries in matters of vital national security interest,' Mr. Mahajan said. 'This betrayal of trust must be addressed with moral clarity and strategic firmness,' he said. With inputs from PTI
