New Delhi, Aug. 15 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, while addressing the nation on the 79th Independence Day, reaffirmed his support to protect farmers, saying that he is "standing tall like a wall against policies which are against farmer interest."

The remarks, made on the ramparts of Red Fort, come amid United States putting pressure on India to open up its agriculture market and subsequently putting a 25 per cent additional tariff, with the western nation calling it a 'penalty' for buying Russian oil.

"If any policy is against India's farmers, fishermen, cattle rearers, Modi is standing like a wall," PM Modi said in Hindi.

Talking about standing his ground in the era of 'economic selfishness,' he added, "I say this with g...