New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday intensified his attack on the Centre over the India–US interim trade deal, alleging that the country was “witnessing a betrayal” of Indian farmers and seeking clarity from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the agreement’s implications for agriculture, agencies reported.
Gandhi, who has been attacking the government and accusing it of a sell-out through the deal, said this issue concerns the future and asked whether India is allowing another country to gain a long-term hold over India’s agriculture industry.
Gandhi said the issue concerned the long-term future of the country’s farming sector and questioned whether India was allowing another nation to gain a sustained foothold in its agricultural economy.
“In the name of a US trade deal, we are witnessing a betrayal of Indian farmers,” Gandhi said in his post in Hindi on X.
Posing questions to the Prime Minister, Gandhi asked what it means to import Dried Distillers’ Grains (DDG). “Does it mean that Indian cattle will be fed distillers’ grains made from GM American corn? Won’t this effectively make our milk products dependent on the US agricultural industry?” he questioned.
Gandhi further inquired that if India allows the import of GM soy oil, what would its implications be on soy farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and across the country? “How will they withstand another price shock?” he asked.
“When you say ‘additional products’, what does that include? Does this indicate pressure to open pulses and other crops to US imports over time?” he questioned.
He also asked, “What does it mean to remove ‘non-trade barriers’? Will India be pressured in the future to loosen its stance on GM crops, weaken procurement, or reduce MSPs and bonuses?”
Gandhi expressed concern that once the door is opened, it may be difficult to keep it from opening wider each year. “Will it be prevented, or will more crops gradually be put on the table each time?” Gandhi said, adding that farmers must receive this clarity.
“This isn’t just about today. It’s about the future too — are we allowing another country to gain a long-term hold on India’s agriculture industry?” he stressed.
Earlier on Saturday, Gandhi accused the government of cheating cotton farmers and textile exporters in the country over the India-US interim trade deal, noting that the agreement could cause significant harm to both sectors.
