Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday seemed to indirectly lash out against US President Donald Trump after the recent Washington move to increase tariffs on Indian products.
Referring to Trump without naming him, Singh said, "Some 'boss' is jealous, cannot accept India's growth; trying to destabilize the country's economy."
He continued to say, "There are certain individuals who are not pleased with the rate at which India is progressing. They are not approving it. 'Sabke boss toh hum hain' (We are everyone's boss), how is India emerging so rapidly?
Singh’s comments came in the wake of the US imposing a 25% tariff on Indian exports, along with an additional 25% penalty over New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
President Trump also warned of further hikes, labelled India’s economy “dead,” and faced criticism from India after some of his aides alleged that New Delhi was aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Describing India's economy as the most "dashing and dynamic" in the world, Singh made a passing barb at those with a "we are everyone's boss" approach, indicating that they are disturbed by the country's fast-paced advance. Addressing the bhoomi pujan (groundbreaking ceremony) of a Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) rail coach factory in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh, he announced, "Today, if any country has a dashing and dynamic economy, it is India's economy.
He declared that no world power can stop India's emergence, as much speed it has gained. Singh condemned attempts to increase the price of Indian goods overseas, threatening that by doing so, they want to cut down world demand. "They think that we are everyone's boss and how is India progressing so rapidly?" he stated.
Pointing towards the economic development of the country, Singh remonstrated that in 2014 India was at number 11 in the world, but now it is among the top four. "If there is any country with a fast-growing economy, it is our India," he avowed. "It implies that the country is progressing and its people are also progressing, because if the countrymen don't progress, India cannot."
Referring to defence manufacturing, Singh pointed out that India, which was earlier dependent on foreign countries for equipment, now manufactures a large part of it and even exports to other countries. "When Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister in 2014, Rs 600 crore worth of defence items were exported. Now, we are exporting defence items of over Rs 24,000 crore. This is the strength of India. This is new defence of new India," he asserted.
Singh also mentioned the April terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that resulted in 26 fatalities and India's reprisal Operation Sindoor. Singh denounced the targeting of civilians on the basis of religion, stating, "We do not even kill ants. We have decided that we will kill people (terrorists) not by their religion but by their actions." Singh cautioned, "India will spare none who provoke us."
On the new rail coach factory unit, Singh termed it as a major boost for Vidisha and Raisen districts, capable of generating 5,000 jobs. He appreciated the industrial development of Madhya Pradesh, citing recent investment proposals worth more than ₹30 lakh crore, and forecasted that "in a few years, people will begin referring to Madhya Pradesh as a modern state."
The nearby localities, he stated, would also gain from the project once it is in operation. Singh laid the foundation for the plant—labeled BRAHMA (BEML Rail Hub for Manufacturing)—at Umaria village in Raisen. With an investment of ₹1,800 crore, its first production will be between 125 and 200 coaches per year with a target of increasing to 1,100 coaches in five years.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and other high-profile guests were present at the ceremony, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw speaking at the event through a video message.
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