Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the UP International Trade Show in Greater Noida and made it clear that India would not yield to tariff pressures from the United States. At a time when Washington has raised duties to unprecedented levels, Modi shifted focus to India’s long standing partnership with Russia. He referred to Russia as a time tested friend and expressed satisfaction that Moscow was the partner nation for this year’s exhibition. According to him, more than 2,250 exhibitors were displaying their products and services, marking the event as one of the largest platforms for promoting trade and innovation.
Modi highlighted India’s defence cooperation with Russia, noting that an Indo Russian joint venture has established a facility in Korwa, Amethi to manufacture AK203 rifles. The plant is expected to produce over 600,000 assault rifles for Indian forces. He said that the defence sector is rapidly growing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, reducing reliance on imports and creating a strong domestic ecosystem. Modi added that a defence corridor in Uttar Pradesh would further accelerate manufacturing and generate employment.
The Prime Minister also drew attention to the government’s reforms in taxation. He underlined that under GST 2.0, those earning up to twelve lakh rupees annually have been exempted from income tax, which he said has reduced the financial burden on the middle class and the poor. Modi described GST reform as an ongoing process that continues to evolve with the needs of the economy. He explained that every phase of reform contributes to strengthening India’s economic structure and offers citizens greater savings.
Modi emphasized that India’s direction is shaped by global disruptions, not distracted by them. He said that the challenges posed by tariffs and international uncertainty present an opportunity for India to find new growth paths. The Prime Minister concluded by asserting that with the people’s support, reforms will keep moving forward, the economy will continue to expand, and India will rise as a nation that manufactures what it needs and supports global trade on its own terms.
