Prem Singh Tamang Supports ‘Vocal for Local’
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Friday accused the United States of trying to “bully India” by imposing 50% tariffs on Indian imports. He urged citizens to follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign to strengthen the domestic economy.
“America is trying to bully India. Prime Minister Modi has said we will not come under any pressure and will work for the welfare of our people. The call to go ‘vocal for local’ must be followed,” Tamang told reporters after offering prayers at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha.
Visit to Jagannath Temple
The Chief Minister said he was visiting the temple after many years and prayed for the well-being of the people of Sikkim and the entire nation. He also thanked the administration and the temple trust for their support during his visit.
US Accuses India Over Russian Oil Trade
Meanwhile, Peter Navarro, Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing at the White House, strongly defended the new tariffs, accusing India of profiting from Russian oil despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Navarro wrote:
“President Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian imports are now in effect. This isn’t just about unfair trade—it’s about cutting off the financial lifeline India has extended to Putin’s war machine.”
Navarro’s Claims Against India
Navarro alleged that:
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India uses U.S. trade dollars to buy discounted Russian crude oil.
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Indian refiners process this oil and re-export fuels to Europe, Africa, and Asia.
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This system allows Russia to earn hard currency to fund the war in Ukraine.
He also claimed that Russian oil imports to India have risen from less than 1% before the invasion to over 30% today (1.5 million barrels per day). Navarro described India as a “refining hub and oil money laundromat for the Kremlin.”
Interestingly, Navarro did not mention China, which remains the largest buyer of Russian oil.
