Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, met representatives of 17 farmer unions at his Parliament office on Friday to discuss concerns over the proposed India–US interim trade agreement. The meeting quickly triggered a sharp political exchange, with the BJP dismissing it as a “stage-managed” attempt to mislead farmers.
According to sources present at the meeting, farmer leaders expressed apprehension that the trade framework could negatively impact growers of corn, soybean, cotton, fruits and nuts. They argued that greater market access for American agricultural products might create price pressure on Indian produce and affect rural incomes. Some unions reportedly called for a nationwide mobilisation to safeguard farmers’ interests if their concerns are not addressed.
The BJP, however, rejected the criticism outright. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal accused Gandhi of promoting a “fake and fabricated narrative” aimed at confusing farmers. In a post on social media platform X, he said the conversation appeared “artificial and baseless,” alleging that a few Congress activists were posing as farmer leaders to create unnecessary alarm.
The government has maintained that the interim trade deal balances India’s agricultural sensitivities with the United States’ demand for market access. Officials say 90–95 per cent of Indian farm products have been kept outside the agreement, ensuring protection for domestic producers. In return, the US is expected to reduce tariffs on several Indian exports, including textiles, leather, footwear and pharmaceuticals, potentially boosting outbound trade.
The political sparring reflects broader anxieties around trade liberalisation and its implications for rural India. With agriculture remaining a sensitive sector, the India–US deal is likely to remain a flashpoint between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in the weeks ahead.
