There are no permanent friends or foes in the world, and there are only permanent interests, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday, amid tensions with the US over Donald Trump’s tariffs, and India’s
improving relations with China in recent months.
In an apparent reference to Trump’s 50% tariffs on New Delhi, Rajnath said that India’s policy, strategy, and self-reliance will remain steadfast and the country will continue to emerge stronger “despite any global pressure”.
He emphasised that the interests of India’s farmers and small traders are paramount for the Narendra Modi government, and the administration will not compromise on this.
“There are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests. India does not consider anyone an enemy. The interest of our farmers, entrepreneurs is most important to us. India does not consider anyone its enemy. We cannot compromise on our country’s welfare at any cost. No matter how much pressure is exerted, India will continue to give the highest priority to the interests of its farmers, small businessmen, shopkeepers, livestock keepers, and common citizens,” Rajnath said while addressing the NDTV Defence Summit 2025.
“We all study in geography that the more pressure is applied, the stronger the rock becomes. I feel that the more pressure is put on India, the more it will emerge as a strong rock,” the Defence Minister added.
He is the second minister in the government after PM Modi to speak about “pressure” on a public forum within a week, without, however, taking names of any country, but in an apparent reference to the United States.
Earlier on Monday, PM Modi sent out a veiled message to Trump at a rally in Ahmedabad that India will not succumb to any pressure and will boost its strength to deal with it.
“All of you are witnessing the kind of politics driven by economic self-interest that is happening in the world today. From this land of Ahmedabad, I would like to say to my small entrepreneurs, to the shopkeepers, to the farmers and cattle rearers. For Modi, your interest is paramount. My government will not allow any harm to come to small entrepreneurs, to farmers, or to cattle rearers. No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand,” PM Modi said during the event.
Trump attempted to exert pressure on India by imposing 50% tariffs, which came into effect on August 27, for New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil — something which the US alleged as fueling Vladimir Putin’s “war machine in Ukraine”.
This led to strained ties between India and the US, with a series of attacks coming from the Trump administration representatives on India’s Russian oil purchase.
In recent months, India and China have witnessed a reset in ties after nearly five years of border tensions since the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020.
A Bloomberg report claimed recently that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a secret letter to Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu in March this year, seeking a reset of ties.
PM Modi’s upcoming visit to China for the SCO Summit on August 31 is being seen as a step towards improving India-China ties amid Trump’s tariff tactics. This will be his first trip to China in seven years, signalling a strong push in this direction.
Earlier this month, India and China agreed to resume direct flights and boost trade and investment flows.
