Tariffs are weapons, India won't yield to global pressure: Shivraj Chouhan

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said India will not compromise on its national interest amid a volatile geopolitical situation where trade and tariffs have become weapons, and asserted that the country must further strengthen food security without relying on global markets.

Addressing the 120th Annual General Meeting of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chouhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that while India believes in being "global brother" and is concerned about the world, the country's interest remains the top priority.

"Amid volatile geopolitical situation where nations are fighting with each other, where trade and tariffs are treated as weapons, where nations are ruling the world at their whims.... In such a situation, India has to choose its path. We will not come under pressure of anyone. Protecting our country's interest is our duty and it is necessary for global peace. A responsible country like India should rise," he said.

The minister highlighted that 46 per cent of India's population is directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, making it crucial to strengthen the sector despite ongoing efforts to reduce this dependency.

"In the current situation, one cannot rely on the global market for food. Therefore, we have to become self-reliant," he said.

Recalling India's past dependence on American food aid under the PL480 programme, Chouhan said the country has come a long way. "There were times when a prime minister in the past had to tell people to keep fast once a week. But now, 80 crore people are given free ration," he said, adding that godowns are currently full with rice and wheat.

However, he stressed the need to further strengthen agriculture not only for food security but also to ensure farmers' income.

The government is working in six key areas, with a focus on raising productivity, he said.

"In rice and wheat, we are at the global average, but in pulses and oilseeds we lag. We should become self-reliant in pulses and edible oils," the minister said.

He said the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is working to develop better quality seeds. Since genetically modified crops are not allowed in India, the genome editing method is being used to develop hybrid seeds with "encouraging success," he added.

Chouhan also emphasised the need to strengthen mechanisation and food processing while keeping small farmers in mind, saying everyone has a role to play in building a 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India).