Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said nations able to indulge in “dadagiri” (bullying) on the world stage do so because of their economic strength and technological superiority — remarks made as India grapples with record-high U.S. import tariffs.
Speaking at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) in Nagpur, Gadkari urged India to strengthen exports, reduce imports, and harness science and technology for self-reliance.
“Those who are indulging in ‘dadagiri’ are doing so because they are economically strong, and they have technology,” he said. “If we get better technology and resources, we will not bully anyone, because our culture teaches us that welfare of the world is most important.”
His comments came days after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an August 6 order imposing an additional 25% duty on Indian goods — taking total tariffs to 50% — in response to India’s continued imports of Russian oil. The move, the steepest tariff hike ever faced by India, affects key sectors including textiles, gems, pharmaceuticals, and auto parts.
The tariffs have triggered the sharpest India–U.S. trade rift in two decades, with Washington suspending trade talks and hinting at further sanctions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a remark widely interpreted as aimed at Trump, vowed India would never compromise on the welfare of farmers, fishermen, and dairy workers “even if that meant paying a heavy price.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also criticised the U.S. measures, accusing “some powers” of seeking to make Indian products costlier to stifle exports. Referring to the U.S. as “sabka boss,” he said, “No power can now stop India from becoming a major global power.”
India has condemned the tariffs as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable” and promised to “take all necessary actions” to protect its economic interests.
