Farmers' interests protected in India-US trade deal, says Goyal
Farmers' interests protected in India-US trade deal, says Goyal
Ministers insist the India-US trade deal safeguards farmers and boosts exports, while Rahul Gandhi warns of risks to food security.
The government is defending the India-US trade agreement, insisting that farmers' interests are fully protected and that the deal will boost agricultural exports and farmer prosperity. Officials argue the pact brings safeguards that support rural livelihoods while opening new markets for Indian produce. The stance comes as the opposition criticizes the agreement, raising concerns about food security and fair competition in domestic markets.
Piyush Goyal has pressed back against the criticism, describing claims that the deal harms farmers' interests as baseless while emphasising how it safeguards agricultural exports and supports farmer prosperity. He has asserted that the interests of farmers are fully protected under the agreement, framing the deal as a path to strengthened livelihoods rather than a threat to food security.
Rahul Gandhi has been vocal in opposition, arguing that the agreement betrays India’s food security and farmers by creating an unfair field against subsidised foreign crops. He labeled the pushback “not a fair fight” and accused the Modi government of putting farmers under pressure. In response, union ministers have rejected these charges, calling them baseless and accusing Gandhi of misleading the public.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan joined in defending the deal, emphasising that the government’s approach is designed to bolster agricultural exports and enhance farmer prosperity without compromising domestic food security. The debate highlights the balancing act between expanding global market access for Indian farmers and safeguarding India’s staple food supply for its own people.
As Parliament and committees prepare for scrutiny, officials say the safeguards within the pact will be closely monitored to ensure farmers continue to benefit and that food security remains a priority. The episode underscores a broader political contest over trade policy, agricultural policy, and India’s leadership in global markets.
