American brands like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Apple are facing growing calls for a boycott in India. The movement follows former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose heavy tariffs on Indian goods, stirring anti-American sentiment among business leaders and supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India, a crucial market for global brands, has long embraced international labels as symbols of upward mobility. But now, the mood is shifting.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, counts India as its largest user base. Domino’s operates more outlets here than any other restaurant chain. Pepsi and Coca-Cola dominate supermarket shelves. Apple store openings still draw crowds. Yet, the recent backlash against U.S. policies is pushing consumers to rethink their choices.
Social media is flooded with posts urging Indians to “go local.” Manish Chowdhary, co-founder of Wow Skin Science, took to LinkedIn with a passionate plea. He called for turning “Made in India” into a global obsession, citing South Korea’s success with its cultural and beauty exports. “We’ve spent proudly on brands we don’t own while our own makers struggle for attention,” he said.
Rahm Shastry, CEO of DriveU, echoed the sentiment. He suggested India needs homegrown alternatives to U.S. tech giants like Google and Twitter. While Indian IT firms like TCS and Infosys thrive globally, consumer brands have struggled to make a similar impact.
Prime Minister Modi recently emphasized self-reliance in a speech, urging tech firms to prioritize India’s needs. Though he didn’t name companies, the message was clear: support local businesses. Meanwhile, groups like Swadeshi Jagran Manch, linked to Modi’s BJP, are organizing rallies and circulating lists of Indian alternatives to foreign products.
Despite the campaigns, not everyone is convinced. In Lucknow, 37-year-old Rajat Gupta enjoyed his McDonald’s coffee, unfazed by the tariff debate. “Diplomacy is one thing, but my McPuff is another,” he joked.
The Tesla showroom launch in New Delhi, attended by government and U.S. officials, shows business continues. But with nationalism on the rise, the battle for India’s consumer loyalty is heating up. Will patriotism outweigh convenience? Only time will tell.