Union Home Minister Amit Shah said India would never compromise its farmers’ welfare or national interests in any trade pact with the United States, amid Washington’s decision to impose additional tariffs on Indian exports. He was addressing the Manorama News Conclave at the Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre here on Friday.“Modi ji has made it clear that no trade agreement will override India’s interests. Farmers’ interests will not be put at risk. Every decision will be taken with the nation first in mind,” said the union minister.
His comments came after the US levied an additional 25 per cent duty on Indian products including textiles, seafood and leather, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil.
Shah hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic stewardship, saying India had risen from the world’s 11th-largest economy to the fourth in just over a decade. By contrast, he accused the previous Congress-led government of letting the economy stagnate.