On Wednesday (August 27, 2025), Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat asserted that international trade should be voluntary and free from pressure, urging Indians to prioritize swadeshi products. His remarks coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s additional 25% tariff on India, which raised overall levies to 50%.
Speaking on the second day of his three-day lecture series at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, Bhagwat emphasized the importance of self-reliance. “We must promote swadeshi and become self-reliant. Self-reliance does not mean halting imports or exports. International trade will continue, but it should be based on voluntary cooperation, not compulsion,” he said.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday (August 27, 2025) urged Indians to prioritize locally grown and produced goods, followed by products from other States, and only then consider foreign items. Stressing that international trade should be voluntary and free from pressure, he appealed for greater reliance on swadeshi products. His remarks came on the same day U.S. President Donald Trump’s additional 25% tariff on India took effect, raising total levies to 50%.
On the second day of his three-day lecture series at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasized the need to promote swadeshi and strengthen self-reliance. “Self-reliance does not mean stopping imports or exports. International trade will continue, but it should not be driven by pressure. Our trade policy should be based on voluntary cooperation, not compulsion,” he said. Bhagwat also urged people to prioritize locally grown and produced goods first, then products from other States, and only afterward those from abroad.
“Drink homemade lemonade instead of soft drinks like Coca-Cola… buy from local markets, as it is the livelihood of our own people that depends on such trade. Don’t even opt for cheaper petrol from other States,” said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, citing signboards advertising ‘cheaper petrol in Haryana’ along highways.
This is not the first time the Sangh and its affiliates have advocated swadeshi products. In the past, organizations like the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, the economic wing of the RSS, and the Kisan Sangh, its farmers’ wing, have promoted concepts such as ‘vocal for local’ and ‘swadeshi swavlambi’ (self-reliant and self-sufficient).
Outreach to Other Nations and Communities
In his appeal for greater outreach across communities and religions, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat acknowledged the persistence of caste in society, calling it harmful to both the people and the nation. International trade
“Caste is bad, but we cannot deny its existence. To eliminate it, we must connect with those around us, regardless of whether they are considered first class or fourth class. There should be no discrimination—everyone should share the same temples, water, and cremation grounds,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says, "…Self-reliance is the key to everything. If we want to develop, then our country should be self-reliant in every aspect…International trade will continue, but there should be no pressure; there should be voluntary consent.… pic.twitter.com/Q5lmotA7Kv
— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2025
A day after asserting that the DNA of all people living in Akhand Bharat (Greater India) has been the same for 40,000 years and that inclusivity is inherent to Indian culture, Bhagwat further emphasized the importance of reaching out to and supporting neighbouring countries, irrespective of differences in religion or community.
“To promote the idea of India—our culture and our vision for the world—it is essential to broaden our horizons, beginning with neighbouring countries. Most of these nations were once part of India. The people are ours, the geography is the same, the rivers and forests are the same… only a few lines drawn on maps separate us. All those who were once together must come together again,” said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
He further noted that while nations will continue to exist as separate entities, “no one can deny that all of us share the same culture.”
“India is the largest among its neighbouring countries, and it is therefore our responsibility to look after them. We must ensure peace, stability, growth, and environmental balance in these nations. There may be different sects and religions, but our sanskar (culture) is the same—there is no doubt about it,” Mr. Bhagwat added
Nation Building
Reiterating that the core philosophy of the RSS is the “evolution of the life mission of the Hindu nation,” RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that everyone living in India has a responsibility to contribute to nation-building.
“When we were fighting for independence, the call was to die for the nation. Today, the call is to live for the nation,” he said.
Outlining simple ways to fulfil this duty, Bhagwat urged people to keep the country clean, prefer local products, help their neighbours, conserve natural resources, speak in their mother tongue and teach it to their children. Above all, he stressed the importance of following rules—renewing licenses on time, obeying traffic laws, and seeking the help of the police instead of reacting to provocation.
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Bhagwat emphasized that while people have the right to protest if the police or authorities fail to address their concerns, they must never take the law into their own hands.
He also urged parents to instill humility in their children by exposing them to real-life experiences. “Take them to nearby temples and slums before taking them to Switzerland,” he remarked.
Expressing concern over the rise of intolerance and extremism globally, the RSS chief linked it to trends such as “wokism” and “cancel culture.” “If we don’t echo their views and opinions, they cancel us,” he said, noting that such tendencies are particularly worrying for parents, as children are the most affected.
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