‘Tariff imposed out of fear if India grows bigger’: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

NAGPUR(Maharashtra): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said that tariffs were imposed on India “out of fear” of its growth, stressing that global powers were concerned about India’s rising strength.

The RSS Chief said this while attending the 7th Foundation Day of Bramhakumaris Vishwa Shanti Sarovar in Nagpur, where he spoke about India’s role in the world and the need for collective thinking.

“People fear what would happen to them if someone else grows bigger. Where will they be if India grows? So, they imposed a tariff, ” Bhagwat said, without naming any country.

He explained that the imposition of tariffs was not India’s fault, but rather due to fear about its expanding position on the global stage.

“We did not do anything; they are appeasing the one who did it all, because if it is with them, then they can put a little pressure on India,” Bhagwat said.

#WATCH | Nagpur, Maharashtra: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says, “People fear what would happen to them if someone else grows bigger. Where will they be if India grows? So, they imposed a tariff. We did not do anything; they are appeasing the one who did it all, because if it is with… pic.twitter.com/d74CkkELmS

— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2025

The RSS chief said that such measures are the result of a self-centred mindset.

“All of this happens in the play of ‘Me and Mine’. When they understand that ‘Me and Mine’ is actually ‘We and Ours’, all issues end. Today, the world needs a solution,” Bhagwat explained.

The remarks came amid the US imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, supplemented by an additional 25 per cent due to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.

Terming the United States’ move to impose additional tariffs on India over its oil imports from Russia as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had declared that New Delhi will take “all actions necessary to protect its national interests.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump (US local time) said that the US and India will resume negotiations to address “trade barriers” between the two countries.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I am pleased to announce that India and the United States of America are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations. I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks. I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries!” (ANI)