Rahul Gandhi says India-US trade deal could hurt cotton farmers and textiles

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intensified his critique of the India-US trade deal, arguing it could either destroy India's textile industry or ruin cotton farmers. In a video posted on X, he claimed the agreement would imperil millions of livelihoods tied to the sector, noting that the textile industry supports around five crore families and that more than 4.5 crore people are employed in related jobs. He described the current situation as a 'dead economy' and pointed to the high tariffs and uncertainty faced by exporters.

Gandhi reminded viewers of parliamentary speeches where he warned that Bangladesh had been given a 'free pass' by the U.S., and that the prospect of zero-percent duty on U.S. cotton could skew competition in favor of foreign suppliers. He argued that if India follows the Bangladesh route, cotton farmers would be destroyed; if India refuses the path, textile mills could be finished.

Several government supporters pushed back. The Times of India reported Gandhi’s claim that the deal amounts to 'not a fair fight' for India's farmers, labeling the rhetoric as one-sided pressure. Ministers including Piyush Goyal and Shivraj Singh Chouhan dismissed the assertions as baseless and misleading, insisting the pact protects farmers’ interests while creating opportunities for exporters.

Piyush Goyal defended the deal, saying it would expand cotton demand and benefit farmers. He highlighted that the government remains committed to safeguarding farmers’ interests and suggested that opportunities such as zero-duty on U.S. cotton could emerge depending on negotiations.

As the debate continues, the India-U.S. trade pact has become a focal point for both political opponents and supporters, with the textile sector watching closely to see whether tariff regimes will help or hinder its growth and job security.

#IndiaUSDeal #CottonFarmers #TextileIndustry