Overview

• Mohan Bhagwat said countries impose duties on India because they fear losing status if India grows, delivering the remarks at a Brahma Kumaris foundation-day program in Nagpur.
• Without naming Washington, he referred to the recent tariff actions, which the United States raised to a combined 50% on select Indian goods while citing India’s purchases of Russian oil.
• New Delhi has called the US measures unfair, unjustified and unreasonable, and continues to defend its energy choices as serving national interests.
• Bhagwat suggested the United States was cultivating ties with Pakistan to pressure India, saying those responsible were being indulged to create leverage.
• Framing the moment as a moral test, he urged a shift from “me” to “us,” praised the women-led Brahma Kumaris, and said India can offer solutions to global problems.