‘No review of pacts, duty on US goods’: MEA on speculation over India’s response to Trump’s tariff; ‘disinformation being spread’ | India News
NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Sunday debunked claims doing the rounds on social media that “India is considering suspending or reviewing certain bilateral agreements with the United States if hostile economic policies continue”. Posting a snapshot from two X handles — Middle Eastern Affairs and China in English, the foreign ministry said: “Disinformation being spread on X”.This comes at a time when India-US trade relations hit a bump after US President Donald Trump declared a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, even as both nations continue to negotiate a trade deal.Trump also warned of additional penalties on India for buying Russian arms and oil and expressed displeasure over BRICS, of which India is a member, and called India a “dead economy”.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a strong appeal for reviving the spirit of Swadeshi, urging Indians to prioritise locally-made products and stand united in the face of growing global economic uncertainty. Speaking at a public meeting in his Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, PM Modi warned that the world economy is entering a phase of instability and unpredictability.Calling for a nationwide movement to support indigenous industry, the Prime Minister said the time had come for every Indian, across political lines, to rise above partisanship and back the local economy. “This is not just about Modi saying it, every Indian should say this, if we want India to become the third-largest economy, every political party and every leader, keeping aside their hesitations, must work in the nation’s interest and awaken the spirit of Swadeshi among the people,” he said.
