In response to the US tariffs on India, RSS head Mohan Bhagwat stated on Thursday that friendship cannot be forced. Speaking at a function in Delhi the day after the 25% US tariffs went into effect, Bhagwat stated that the government will decide how to handle Trump’s tariff and that the RSS has no say in the matter.
The leader of the RSS, who wished to remain anonymous, criticised the United States for the tariffs, stating that international trade should go “without any boundation” and “not under pressure.”
“International trade is essential and ought to take place… However, it shouldn’t take place under duress. Under pressure, friendships do not exist. It ought to exist freely and by consent of both parties. There should be no pressure on it. The pressure shouldn’t be placed on us. I don’t have to share this with each person individually,” Bhagwat stated at the briefing.
He stated that the government is aware of what needs to be done and that the RSS has no influence over it in these things. “As Trump claims, we don’t persuade the government to react in this or that manner. They must deal with that. They will decide what they must do. We must be in favour of whatever they decide to do. They must make a decision. They are aware of the process. “They will take care of the obstacles,” he continued.