In a powerful address from his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi on Saturday, August 2, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked the spirit of economic nationalism, urging every Indian to make ‘Swadeshi’ their mantra in these uncertain times of global volatility.
His comments followed a recent move by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who slapped a 25% tariff on Indian imports and issued sharp criticisms of India’s trade practices and ongoing ties with Russia.
Though Modi refrained from directly naming the U.S. or Trump in his speech, his message was clear: India must strengthen its economic foundations through indigenous production, self-reliance, and collective consciousness in consumption. With the world economy battling turbulence, he made a passionate plea to citizens:
“Whatever we buy, there should be only one scale: has it been made by the sweat of an Indian?”
A Historical Parallel: From 1905 to 2025
Modi’s fresh appeal for Swadeshi is not just a reaction to modern geopolitical pressures—it revives a historic call that dates back to August 7, 1905, when the Swadeshi Movement was officially proclaimed in response to the British colonial government’s decision to partition Bengal. The movement urged Indians to boycott British goods and institutions, and instead promote locally produced, indigenous alternatives.
It wasn’t merely about economics then—it was about national dignity, self-rule, and unity. That spirit was carried forward and dramatically expanded by Mahatma Gandhi, whose Non-Cooperation Movement (launched in 1920) called for the rejection of British-made goods, government schools, courts, and jobs. Swadeshi was no longer just a slogan; it became a strategy of civil resistance.
Now, 120 years later, Modi is drawing on this same ethos, though in a vastly different global and national context. Instead of a colonial power, India now confronts economic protectionism from its largest trading partner, the United States.
Instead of foreign-made textiles, today’s Swadeshi movement battles against imported electronics, industrial machinery, packaged foods, and consumer goods that flood Indian markets.
The Present Challenge: Tariffs, Tensions, and National Response
Trump’s 25% tariff, set to take effect on August 7, is widely seen as a retaliatory move—meant to pressure New Delhi over its continued energy and defense ties with Russia, and to extract trade concessions on agriculture, dairy, and genetically modified products. In a scathing Truth Social post, Trump labeled India a “dead economy” and called its trade practices “strenuous and obnoxious.”
His comments triggered both domestic political backlash and a call for introspection. In Parliament, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal pushed back strongly, stating that India remains the world’s fastest-growing major economy, and reaffirming that the government will defend national interest and sovereignty at all costs.
Modi’s Rallying Cry: A Modern Swadeshi for a Modern India
Addressing a massive gathering in Banauli village, Modi re-emphasized the need for economic self-reliance and called upon traders, shopkeepers, and consumers to become active participants in a new Swadeshi movement.
“Let us take a pledge to sell only Swadeshi goods in our shops and markets. Promoting Made in India products will be the truest service to the country.”
He urged Indians to be conscious consumers, asking:
“Has an Indian toiled to make this product? If yes, then it is Swadeshi for us. We must adopt the mantra of ‘Vocal for Local’.”
Modi also framed the movement as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, who believed deeply in the power of local economies and the dignity of local labor.
“The feeling of Swadeshi in every action will define our future. This is not just Modi saying it; every Indian must believe it.”
A National Movement, Not Just a Political Message
The prime minister’s appeal went beyond party lines, calling for unity across the political spectrum in the service of economic sovereignty.
“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.”