August 31, 2025

NEW DELHI: Amid the heat of global politics, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has a clear message — in the world of nations, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests! His sharp words come when India faces a tariff battle with the US and is warming up ties with China. Speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit, Singh made it clear that India will "never compromise with its fundamental interests and principles." He was talking about the 50% tariffs slapped by US President Donald Trump, though without naming the US directly. India stands firm, said Singh: "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." He added with a bang, "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." Meanwhile, PM Modi flew to China to attend the SCO summit. There, he is set to have exciting talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, showcasing India's growing global role. Singh also pointed to a rising wave of "protectionism" from "so-called developed countries" with "trade and tariff wars" heating up. He cleverly flipped Edmund Burke’s famous words on the British East India Company, saying today it feels like "a merchant in the guise of a state"—a pointed dig at current trade tactics. Talking about the storms rocking the world—pandemics, terrorism, and regional conflicts—Singh stressed that self-reliance is no longer a luxury but a survival need. "Today's shifting geopolitics has also made it clear that external dependency in the field of defence is no longer an option for us. In the current situation, self-reliance is essential for both our economy and our security," he declared. Under PM Modi's strong leadership, the drive for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) aims to boost India’s strategic freedom. Singh said, "This very approach will keep us secure in the times to come and also secure us a leading position among the world's emerging powers." He praised Operation Sindoor, highlighting India’s growing indigenous defence muscle. "It may appear to be a story of a war of a few days, of India's victory and Pakistan's defeat, but years of strategic preparation and defence preparedness were behind it," Singh revealed. India is gearing up, standing tall like solid rock, not backing down, and ready to strengthen its place on the world stage — no matter the global pressure or storms ahead!

Read More at News →

Tags: Rajnath singh, India-us tariffs, Atmanirbhar bharat, Sco summit, India-china relations, Operation sindoor,