'No matter how much pressure comes, we will withstand it': PM Modi ahead of US tariff deadline

"Today in the world, everyone is busy doing politics based on economic interests. From this land of Ahmedabad, I will tell my small entrepreneurs, my small shopkeeper brothers and sisters, my farmer brothers and sisters, my animal husbandry brothers and sisters and I am saying this on the land of Gandhi.

"Be it the small entrepreneurs, farmers, or animal keepers of my country, for everyone, I promise you again and again, your interests are paramount for Modi," PM Modi said, addressing a gathering after launching multiple projects in Ahmedabad.

"My government will never let any harm come to the small entrepreneurs, farmers, and animal keepers. No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand," he added.

The Prime Minister urged people to use more swadeshi goods.

"All of us should follow the mantra of buying only 'made in India' goods. Businessmen should keep a big board outside their establishments, saying they sell only 'swadeshi' goods," he said.

Ties between India and the US have been strained in recent weeks after the Trump administration imposed secondary tariffs on India for buying Russian oil.

The US tariffs on Indian exports now stand above 50 percent. This is the highest tariff Trump has imposed, according to his latest list, besides Brazil.

India condemned the move and called it "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also issued a strong message stressing that India would never compromise with the interests of its farmers and fishermen, adding that while he knows he will "have to pay the price", he was ready to do it for farmers.

The 50 percent US levy threatens to upend low-margin, labour-intensive industries ranging from gems and jewellery to textiles and seafood. Agriculture employs vast numbers of people in India and has been a key sticking point in trade negotiations.