"If Pressure Increases, We Shall Deal With It": PM Modi’s Subtle Message to Trump

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed firm support for small entrepreneurs and farmers, just two days before US President Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariff on India comes into effect. Trump not only hiked tariffs on Indian goods but also imposed an additional 25 percent penalty over India’s discounted Russian crude imports, worsening bilateral relations. Washington claims India is indirectly financing Moscow’s war in Ukraine through these purchases, a charge New Delhi has strongly rejected. India turned to cheaper Russian oil after Western sanctions in 2022. On Saturday, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also criticized the US stance in Delhi.