Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday criticised the Narendra Modi government in the wake of the Trump administration’s decision to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, claiming that the move exposes the failure of India’s foreign policy and puts the country’s key sectors at risk.
Speaking to reporters, Yadav warned that India’s economy, farmers, and youth are all under threat, adding that the country has been cornered diplomatically and economically.
“We have been absolutely unsuccessful in our foreign policy. We haven’t doubled farmers’ income as promised. Youth remain unemployed. Our country, our economy, our farmers, and our youth — all are under threat. India has been cornered from all four sides,” he said.
Yadav also took aim at Prime Minister Modi’s recent remarks that farmers are India’s top priority, calling them a belated concern.
“BJP should have thought about farmers and agriculture 10 years ago. When industries collapse, farmers suffer, and youth face joblessness. Every sector needs consistent attention, not last-minute declarations,” he added.
The comments come shortly after PM Modi, speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference, stated: “The interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. I know we will have to pay a heavy price for it, and I am ready for it. India is ready for it.”
Yadav emphasised the importance of maintaining and improving India’s bilateral relationship with the United States, questioning the government’s delay in addressing the brewing trade crisis.
“We’ve always had a historic relationship with America. Why is the government realising this only after 11 years in power?” he asked, adding that India must act diplomatically to avoid further economic strain.
The controversy erupted after US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on August 6, imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, citing national security and India’s continued oil imports from Russia.
In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) labelled the move as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” and asserted that India would take “all necessary steps” to defend its national interests.
A senior US administration official defended the decision, arguing that India’s Russian oil imports have reached “hundreds of billions of dollars,” while US imports of Russian goods remain less than 1% of India’s.
“There is simply no comparison between the growing Indian imports of Russian oil and the modest U.S. imports of Russian goods,” the official told ANI.
The tariff hike has triggered widespread criticism from the opposition, with leaders like Yadav and Kharge accusing the Modi government of diplomatic negligence and policy mismanagement that now risks multiple sectors of the Indian economy.
