Political leaders from both the ruling party and the Opposition have expressed differing views on the India–US trade deal, especially concerning its effects on the agriculture sector. Former Haryana Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Jai Parkash Dalal, hailed the deal as highly advantageous for India, emphasizing that agriculture remains untouched by the agreement. He stressed that no agricultural products, including wheat, rice, sugarcane, or fruits, are part of the deal, despite opposition claims.
Dalal highlighted the economic benefits of closer trade relations with the US, citing the significant advantages India stands to gain from the deal. He compared India’s deal favorably with those of neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam, asserting that the agreements with the US and the European Union will boost India’s economic growth. Meanwhile, in Delhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the trade agreement, expressing concerns about its potential negative impact on farmers.
Yadav raised apprehensions about the threat to farmers due to increased imports under the deal, questioning the future of farming in such a scenario. He accused the ruling BJP of consistently working against farmers’ interests, citing the earlier contentious farm laws and now the perceived flood of imports. Yadav also suggested that the government’s promotion of millets had inadvertently signaled India’s demand to foreign countries, potentially leading to an increase in imports of millets from the US.
