New Delhi, February 15 In response to the India-US interim trade deal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, alleging that "Indian farmers are being betrayed."
Gandhi, who has been criticizing the government and accusing it of making a deal that benefits another country, said that this issue is about the future and whether India is allowing another country to gain a long-term hold over India's agricultural industry.
"In the name of a US trade deal, we are witnessing the betrayal of Indian farmers," said the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha in his post on X.
Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Modi about importing Dried Distillers' Grains (DDG). "Does this mean that Indian cattle will be fed with distillers' grains made from GM American corn? Won't this effectively make our milk products dependent on the US agricultural industry?" he asked.
Gandhi further inquired about the implications of importing GM soy oil, particularly for soy farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and across the country. "How will they cope with 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 prevent it from widening 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 also about the future – are we allowing another country to gain a long-term hold on India's agricultural industry?" he stressed.
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.
He had also claimed that the trade deal, which now favours Bangladesh through zero per cent tariffs, will either finish the textile sector, cotton farming, or both, adding that the nation is aware of this.
In a post on X, Gandhi criticised the government for failing to protect the interests of cotton farmers and textile exporters. He argued that a visionary government would have negotiated a deal that safeguarded both sectors and ensured their prosperity.
"18 per cent Tariff vs 0 per cent - Let me explain how the prime minister and his cabinet are spreading confusion on this issue. And how they are cheating India's cotton farmers and textile exporters through the India-US trade deal," he had said in his post.
