RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Calls for Balanced Global Engagement, Farmer-Centric Policies

New Delhi, Feb 2026 : Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday emphasised the need for India to actively engage with the global economy while ensuring that international trade agreements protect national interests, particularly those of farmers. He said isolation was not a viable option in today’s interconnected world, but cautioned that global engagements must be guided by strength, self-interest and ethical responsibility.

Bhagwat was speaking on the second day of the Mumbai Vyakhyanmala lecture series, organised as part of the “100 Years of Sangh Journey.” Addressing a packed audience, he reflected on the realities of global power dynamics and India’s position on the world stage.

“People believe in power; they listen to those who have power behind them,” Bhagwat remarked, underlining the importance of national strength in international dealings. Drawing a comparison with India’s civilisational outreach, he noted that while India continues to uphold its inclusive ethos, global recognition often follows power. Referring to his upcoming visit to the United States, he said that even if he began his address with the same words as Swami Vivekananda, the response would be different, as “people appreciate power.”

On international economic relations, including ongoing India-US trade discussions, Bhagwat advocated for pragmatic and balanced agreements. He said global economic engagement would inevitably continue and that India could not afford to remain isolated. “In deals, if we get something, we are supposed to give something also. If possible, we should make a win-win deal or at least assure our win,” he said.

He also praised the current governance approach at the Centre, stating that the administration over the past decade has demonstrated confidence and resolve. “The administration we are seeing for the last ten years is fearless and can stand strongly,” he observed, suggesting that such firmness is essential while negotiating international agreements.

Turning his focus to agriculture, Bhagwat strongly emphasised that farmers must remain at the core of policymaking. He cautioned against hurried reforms and untested changes that could harm the agricultural sector. “In agriculture, farmers should be their own owners,” he said, stressing the importance of preserving autonomy and sustainability in farming.

Highlighting India’s rich agricultural heritage, Bhagwat lamented the loss of diversity in crop varieties over time. “Our farmers were once at their peak; we had 8-9 thousand rice varieties, but now we have only 3-4 thousand. Wide varieties were taken away,” he noted. He warned that rapid experimentation without adequate testing could prove detrimental. “Adopting things without proper testing is not good for our farmers; everything should be tested well before implementation,” he added.

Bhagwat also spoke about the ethical foundations of economic growth, asserting that development should not be driven by self-interest alone. “Economic development should also lead to the development of the world, not just one’s own development. That is what makes us human, not animals,” he said, calling for a value-based approach to progress.

A day earlier, during the opening session of the lecture series, the RSS chief had stressed that India’s trade agreements must be finalised strictly on its own terms, without yielding to external pressure. “We cannot isolate ourselves from the world, but the deal should be on our terms and conditions,” he said.

Without naming any country or leader, Bhagwat added that India was closely observing the actions of global superpowers. “We don’t want to become one who intimidates others. As Vishwaguru, we want to lead from within and become an example for the world,” he said, reiterating India’s aspiration to offer moral and strategic leadership on the global stage.

Team Maverick.