Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday shared an article by Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu wherein he praised him saying only few leaders would have courage to stand up against global powers when they turn up the heat, and also talked about his farmer-centric initiatives in detail.
“When global powers turn up the heat, few leaders have the courage to stand up to it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown unflinching resolve by refusing to yield to pressure from the Donald Trump administration over trade and tariff demands. The message is clear: Indian farmers’ interests are non-negotiable,” Sandhu, who is also a Chancellor of Chandigarh University, wrote in the article.
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The US government imposing 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports, citing India’s continued oil trade with Russia, has put stress on the US-India trade relationship. Despite diplomatic pressure, PM Modi declared he would not compromise on agricultural policies that protect Indian farmers, the BJP Rajya Sabha MP wrote.
The prime minister, using his PMO India X handle, shared the article, saying, “In this insightful read, @satnamsandhuchd Ji highlights how the Government’s farmer-first approach, through crop insurance, soil health cards, direct benefit transfers and modern irrigation, has strengthened livelihoods, enhanced productivity and ensured resilience in India’s agricultural sector.”
Sandhu also quoted the prime minister, saying, “The welfare of farmers, livestock and fisher folk is our priority. I’m prepared to pay a personal and political price to safeguard their interests”.
“These words weren’t just for show. They came with action and conviction. In refusing to open up India’s dairy, grain, and other sensitive agricultural sectors to American demands, Modi sent a strong message: The Indian farmer’s livelihood comes before any foreign pressure or political calculation,” Sandhu asserted.
Talking about the farmer-friendly initiatives that the Modi government introduced in the past 11 years, Sandhu said, “This isn’t the first time Modi has stood by India’s farmers. Since coming to power in 2014, his government has launched a series of transformational schemes aimed at strengthening the rural economy and ensuring dignity for the ‘annadata’ (food provider).”
He mentioned PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi), which offers 6,000 a year to small and marginal farmers; the Soil Health Card Scheme, which is aimed to help farmers optimise use of fertiliser and enhance yield.
Also, the writer talked about the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which provides affordable crop insurance against natural calamities; the e-NAM (National Agri-culture Market) that connects mandis through a digital platform; PM-KUSUM, the scheme that promotes solar powered pumps, letting farmers save on electricity while embracing clean energy, and Har Khet Ko Pani and Per Drop More Crop, which strengthen irrigation while promoting micro-irrigation to boost water efficiency.
These schemes, the writer said, reflect a harmonised strategy: PM-KISAN delivers the financial lifeline at scale, soil health cards empower smarter farming, and the rest modernise infra-structure and climate resil-ience. These initiatives represent a shift from past governments that often made promises but failed to deliver.
PM Modi’s focus has been on systemic reforms, technology driven solutions, and direct, he added.
Across states, farmer organisations, unions, and agrarian groups have rallied behind the government, recognising PM Modi’s refusal to compromise on agricultural policies as a strong defence of their livelihoods.
One of the most vocal supporters has been the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the coalition of farmer unions that led the prolonged protests against the earlier farm laws, Sandhu observed.“The unity among these diverse farmer groups signals a growing trust in the Modi government’s commitment post the repeal of the farm laws, reassuring rural voters that their concerns are being addressed,” he said.