Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has doubled down on his #Swadeshi campaign, urging 1.4 billion citizens to ditch foreign products like iPhones 🍎 and Big Macs 🍔 in favor of locally made goods. The move comes amid escalating trade tensions with the U.S., which recently slapped 50% tariffs on Indian imports.
🔊 'We must embrace products made by Indian hands,' Modi declared in a national address Sunday, framing the shift as key to economic growth. While he didn’t name the U.S. directly, supporters have launched viral hashtags like #BoycottPepsi and #AmazonExit, targeting American brands dominating India’s consumer market.
📈 The push aligns with Modi’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) vision. Small-town shopkeepers are now being urged to prioritize desi (local) products, while companies ramp up promotions for homegrown alternatives. But will Gen Z swap Netflix 📺 and Nike 👟 for Indian equivalents? The debate’s raging online!
🤝 All eyes are now on Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s upcoming Washington visit, where he’ll attempt to cool trade tensions. Meanwhile, Amazon and Apple face a critical test: Can they stay relevant in the world’s fastest-growing major economy?
