Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, in a public address on Sunday, urged citizens to prefer locally made products over foreign ones, promoting a self-reliant economy amid strained trade relations with the United States.
Following US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on imported Indian goods, Modi has been encouraging the use of “Swadeshi” or made-in-India products. Supporters have initiated boycotts of popular American brands in India, including McDonald’s, Pepsi, and Apple.
Speaking ahead of the implementation of broad consumer tax cuts on Monday, Modi said, “Many products we use every day are foreign-made, often without our awareness… we must move away from them.” He added, “We should buy products that are made in India,” without directly naming any countries.
India’s 1.4 billion-strong population represents a significant market for U.S. consumer goods, which are widely purchased through platforms such as Amazon and have expanded even into smaller towns.
Modi also encouraged shopkeepers to prioritise selling Indian-made products, emphasising that this would support national economic growth.
In recent weeks, companies have increasingly promoted local products. Meanwhile, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to visit Washington soon for trade talks, aiming to ease tensions in bilateral relations.
