Nagpur: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday took an indirect swipe at US President Donald Trump over his decision to impose steep additional tariffs on Indian goods, remarking that nations resort to “dadagiri” (bullying) because they are financially and technologically stronger.
Speaking at the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) in Nagpur, Gadkari stressed that India must increase exports and advance in technology to achieve true economic independence.
“If our export and economic growth rate increases, I don’t think we will need to go to anyone. Those who are doing ‘dadagiri’ are doing so because they are financially strong and have technology,” Gadkari said.
He added that even if India attains such strength, it would not misuse it. “Our culture teaches us that the welfare of the world is the most important. We will never bully anyone.”
Gadkari underscored the role of science, technology, and knowledge in solving global challenges, urging research institutions and engineering colleges to focus on India’s specific needs. “If we work continuously in this direction, our economy’s growth rate could triple,” he said.
Gadkari’s comments came days after Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on imports from India, citing national security and foreign policy concerns. The move targets India’s imports of Russian oil, which Washington claims pose an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the US.
The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the decision as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” and vowed to take “all actions necessary to protect India’s national interests.”
