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2025.09.21 23:14 GMT+8

Modi urges Indians to abandon foreign products amid strained U.S. ties

Updated 2025.09.21 23:14 GMT+8
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting in Mangaldoi, India, September 14, 2025. /VCG

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a public address on Sunday, asked citizens to stop using foreign-made products and instead use local ones, pushing for a self-reliant campaign as trade ties with the United States have soured.

After U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50 percent tariff on imported Indian goods, Modi has been urging the use of "Swadeshi," or made-in-India goods. His supporters have started campaigns to boycott American brands including McDonald's, Pepsi and Apple, which are hugely popular in India.

"A lot of products we use daily are foreign-made, we just don't know ... we will have to get rid of them," Modi said in an address to the nation ahead of Monday's implementation of widespread consumer tax cuts.

"We should buy products that are made in India," he added, without naming any country.

India's population of 1.4 billion is a major market for American consumer goods, often purchased from U.S. online retailer Amazon.com. Over the years, the reach of U.S. brands has expanded deep into smaller towns.

Modi also asked shopkeepers to focus on retailing made-in-India products, arguing that this will boost the country's economic growth.

In recent weeks, many companies have increased the promotion of local goods.

India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to visit Washington soon for trade talks, a trip that would take place amid efforts to ease strained bilateral ties.

Source(s): Reuters
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