Unmukt

Tag: atmanirbharbharat

  • Trump Calls India a Dead Economy. Rahul Gandhi Nods. Facts Say Otherwise

    In a recent statement, former U.S. President Donald Trump described India as a “dead economy.” Shockingly, Indian political leader Rahul Gandhi echoed this sentiment, using it to attack the current government. What both these men fail to grasp — or deliberately ignore — is the reality of India’s economic and geopolitical strength.

    Let’s start with the facts:

    • 🇮🇳 India’s GDP growth in FY 2024-25: 7%
    • 🇺🇸 U.S. GDP growth in H1 2025: 1.25%
    • 🇷🇺 Russia’s GDP growth in 2024: -4.1%

    India is, by far, the fastest-growing major economy in the world — driven by manufacturing, services, exports, infrastructure, and a digitally empowered population.

    Meanwhile, the U.S. is barely growing, and Russia is shrinking. So who is the “dead economy” here?

    The Hypocrisy of Trump

    Donald Trump calls China America’s biggest threat, yet his policies end up helping China.
    How?

    He imposes tariffs on Apple and other U.S. multinational products manufactured in India — a democratic ally. These punitive actions discourage American companies from diversifying away from China.

    Instead of supporting India as a reliable partner, Trump treats it as a threat. This isn’t strategy — this is short-sighted populism that benefits Beijing, not Washington.

    Rahul Gandhi’s Echo Chamber Politics

    What’s worse than Trump’s ignorance? An Indian leader endorsing it.

    Rahul Gandhi, who constantly speaks of “saving democracy,” found himself aligning with a man known for undermining democratic values — simply because he saw an opportunity to score political points.

    When a national leader amplifies a foreign voice that demeans India’s rise, it’s not dissent — it’s disgrace.

    India needs an opposition that holds the government accountable while standing for the nation, not one that joins hands with foreign critics just to attack political rivals.

    India Is Not the Problem. India Is the Solution.

    India is not an expansionist power. It doesn’t threaten global stability — it strengthens it. As the world faces rising authoritarianism and economic stagnation, India offers something rare:

    • A democratic system that works
    • A young population ready to innovate and build
    • A geopolitical balance that offers stability to both the East and the West
    • A thriving market that welcomes global investment and fair competition

    If anything, a strong and self-confident India solves problems for the West — by offering a counterweight to China, a partner in tech and defence, and a responsible voice in global affairs.

    India has many challenges. But calling it a “dead economy” is not just inaccurate — it’s insulting. And when Indian leaders echo these falsehoods, they undermine the very nation they claim to serve.

    At Unmukt, we believe in Dharma-based politics — rooted in truth, strength, and national pride. India doesn’t need validation from foreign leaders. But it does need its own citizens, especially its leaders, to stand with her — not against her.

    Let critics speak. Let the facts roar louder.

  • Make America Fool Again: The Self-Inflicted Cost of Trump’s Tariff Nationalism

    In the age of performative patriotism and economic brinkmanship, Donald Trump’s favorite rallying cry—“Make America Great Again”—may need a reboot: “Make America Fool Again.” At the heart of this irony lies a simple but devastating reality—tariffs. While marketed as weapons of economic warfare against foreign “cheaters,” these tariffs have become boomerangs, hitting American consumers harder than anyone else.

    The Illusion of Economic Toughness

    Trump’s tariff-heavy strategy is pitched as bold nationalism: taxing foreign imports to promote American-made goods and force foreign governments to yield to U.S. demands. On paper, it sounds tough. In practice, it’s economically self-defeating in a nation where most consumer goods—from iPhones to bananas—are sourced globally.

    The U.S. consumer economy is import-dependent by design. Over 70% of retail goods involve foreign components or are directly imported. In this environment, tariffs function not as pressure on foreign manufacturers—but as an invisible tax on American families.

    Who Really Pays?

    Let’s cut through the rhetoric: Americans pay these tariffs. Corporations simply pass the added costs to the customer. In 2025 alone, U.S. households are expected to pay $1,270 to $2,400 more per year, solely due to tariff-related inflation. Prices for groceries, clothing, furniture, electronics, and cars have jumped—without corresponding wage increases.

    Even basic foods are not spared. Bananas, coffee, and wine—items not grown at scale in the U.S.—have no domestic alternative. The tariff on them isn’t protective; it’s punitive to consumers.

    Case Study: Autos, Goods, and Stock Shocks

    Tariffs on imported autos have driven vehicle prices up by 11%. At the same time, American car manufacturers suffer too—many rely on imported parts. The result? No winners.

    Consumer goods giants like Procter & Gamble and Nestlé have announced price hikes across product lines. Even the stock market responds negatively, with dips in shares of consumer-oriented companies whenever new tariffs are announced.

    A Strategy Without Substitutes

    While Trump’s team insists tariffs will push the U.S. to “de-risk” from China, the reality is that alternatives (like Vietnam or Mexico) often rely on Chinese supply chains themselves. Meanwhile, U.S. manufacturing lacks the scale, workforce, or cost advantage to replace imports meaningfully. The result is disruption without a solution.

    Nationalism at Whose Cost?

    This is where the slogan flips: “America First” has become America Pays First. These tariffs act as regressive taxes, hurting middle- and lower-income Americans most. They dampen consumer spending, slow economic growth, and hollow out household budgets—all under the banner of economic patriotism.

    Trump presents himself as the dealmaker, the protector of American interests. But in the arena of global trade, he’s wielding a sledgehammer where surgical tools are needed.

    As political theater, tariffs may look decisive. But behind the scenes, they erode the very fabric of the U.S. consumer economy. What began as a campaign promise to restore greatness has, in effect, triggered the largest stealth tax hike on American households in three decades.

    The irony is stark. In trying to punish others, America punishes itself.

    So, the new slogan practically writes itself:

    “Make America Fool Again.”

  • Modi Didn’t Blink: How India Protected Its Trade Sovereignty from Trump’s 25% Tariff Threat

    “They expected India to bow. Instead, India built a backbone.”

    In an age where many nations retreat under U.S. pressure, India stood tall. When Donald Trump returned to the White House in 2025 and announced sweeping 25% tariffs on Indian exports, many global observers braced for panic in New Delhi.

    But that panic never came.

    Instead, they saw a familiar face—Narendra Modi, calm, calculated, and completely unshaken.

    No Panic. No Compromise. No Deal Under Duress.

    The Modi government could have taken the easy route:
    Make a few trade concessions, appease Trump’s ego, beg for tariff exemptions—and spin it as diplomacy.

    But this time, India chose something far more powerful: Dignity.

    Despite looming tariffs, there was:

    • No sudden outreach from Indian envoys.
    • No last-minute offers on agriculture, dairy, or digital trade.
    • No weakening of India’s strategic relationship with Russia, which lies at the center of this trade conflict.

    Instead, India waited. Watched. And sent a clear message to Washington:

    We don’t trade our sovereignty—not for discounts, not for praise, not for fear.

    Modi in Parliament: A Defining Moment

    Just day before yesterday, in a charged Parliament session, PM Modi delivered a masterstroke without raising his voice:

    “No foreign leader has ever asked me to stop any internal operation in India.”

    This one line, subtle but piercing, was a direct counter to Trump’s old claims that he “mediated” between India and Pakistan—a lie that had embarrassed Indian diplomacy in the past.

    By affirming that no leader has dared question India’s internal affairs, Modi wasn’t just defending Kashmir or Manipur or economic autonomy—he was drawing a red line for the world.

    A line that says:
    This is New India. Strong, sovereign, and unafraid.

    The India of 2025 Is Not the India of 1991

    In the past, India bent.

    • In the ’90s, India opened markets under IMF pressure.
    • In the 2000s, India hesitated on nuclear autonomy until George Bush stepped in.
    • Even during the first Trump term, India showed restraint, trying to “keep the relationship warm.”

    But today, the tone has changed.

    Modi understands that India’s market of 1.4 billion, its tech and manufacturing potential, and its civilizational strength can’t be treated like a pawn in someone else’s game.

    Why Modi’s Boldness Matters

    Let’s be clear: Trump’s tariffs are real. They will hurt sectors like textiles, jewelry, and some pharma exports. But short-term pain is sometimes necessary for long-term independence.

    Because if India caved now, it would set a dangerous precedent:

    • That Washington can dictate Indian trade partners.
    • That a tariff threat can reverse our Russia strategy.
    • That India must “ask permission” before doing business with the world.

    But thanks to Modi, that precedent will never be set.

    What the World Needs to Learn from India

    China never compromises its red lines. Iran survives with zero Western sympathy. Even tiny Cuba resists American bullying.

    So why should India, a rising global power, act like a junior partner?

    By refusing to blink, Modi has elevated India’s position globally—from “strategic ally” to sovereign equal.

    The U.S. now knows:

    • India won’t trade policy for praise.
    • It won’t choose between friends because someone shouted louder.
    • And it won’t let elections in Washington decide its trade map.

    You can debate Modi’s domestic record. You can critique his style. But on the global stage, one fact is undeniable:

    He is the first Indian Prime Minister who doesn’t flinch , not before China, not before Pakistan, and now, not even before America.

    As Trump throws tariffs like tantrums, India responds not with fear but with strategic silence backed by steel nerves.

    That’s leadership.
    That’s sovereignty.
    That’s Modi.

  • India’s Defence Exports Hit ₹23,622 Crore in 2024–25: A Quiet Revolution in Strategic Self-Reliance

    By Unmukts Editorial Team
    Published: July 30, 2025

    When Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently announced that India’s defence exports for 2024–25 touched a historic high of ₹23,622 crore, many nodded in agreement—but few grasped the full magnitude of what this number represents.

    This is not just a figure.
    It’s a 34-fold leap from 2013–14 levels, when exports stood at a mere ₹686 crore.
    It is also a testament to India’s silent transformation from a buyer to a builder—from importing submarines and jets to exporting cutting-edge defence technologies to nearly 80 countries.

    The Numbers That Tell a Story

    YearExport Value (₹ Crore)Growth from 2013–14
    2013–14686Base year
    2023–2421,08331x
    2024–2523,62234x

    This staggering increase of over 3,362% in just over a decade would be unthinkable without focused reforms and an attitudinal shift in how India perceives its defence sector—not as a cost centre, but as a core driver of self-reliance, innovation, and diplomacy.

    From “Buyer” to “Exporter”: What Changed?

    1. Policy Shifts and Strategic Vision

    Two major national missions have underpinned this growth:

    • Make in India: Launched in 2014, this initiative opened up India’s defence sector to private players and foreign investments.
    • Atmanirbhar Bharat: Championed after 2020, it redefined India’s military-industrial goals with self-reliance as a central pillar.

    The defence production ecosystem has since been backed by simplified export procedures, incentives for manufacturers, and an expanded Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) that prioritizes domestic sourcing.

    2. Opening the Gates for Private Sector Innovation

    In a sector historically dominated by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), the role of private companies has become increasingly dominant.

    In FY 2024–25:

    • Private players contributed ₹15,233 crore (approx. 64% of total exports)
    • DPSUs accounted for ₹8,389 crore, with a robust 42.85% year-on-year growth

    Startups and MSMEs, particularly in UAVs, radar systems, and niche weapons systems, have emerged as vital contributors.

    What Is India Exporting? And To Whom?

    India’s defence exports now cover a wide spectrum:

    • Light helicopters (e.g., Dhruv)
    • Coastal surveillance systems
    • Indigenous artillery systems
    • Ammunition, explosives, night vision equipment
    • Naval platforms, radars, communication systems

    These products are being sold to countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and even Europe—marking India’s growing credibility as a defence manufacturing hub.

    Beyond Exports: The Rise of Strategic Autonomy

    This export surge isn’t just about rupees and crores—it’s about a strategic shift. Defence exports amplify India’s soft power, strengthen bilateral ties, and position India as a responsible regional security provider.

    As India sets its next target of ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029, this becomes not just a manufacturing challenge, but a strategic statement.

    What Can We Learn from This?

    For young Indians, startups, policy thinkers, and Unmukt readers who believe in a self-reliant, confident Bharat, this success is a blueprint:

    • Ambitious national goals matter.
    • Public-private collaboration works.
    • Global markets value Indian innovation—when backed by state policy and delivery capability.

    India’s record-breaking defence exports in 2024–25 are not just numbers. They are symbols of transformation—from dependence to determination, from a buyer mindset to an exporter’s confidence.

    In the world of geopolitics, economic strength, military resilience, and diplomatic assertiveness go hand in hand.

    As Unmukt, we believe this is just the beginning. Bharat is not just aiming to be the world’s factory—it is reclaiming its rightful place as a knowledge, defence, and innovation leader.