Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera criticized the interim India-US trade framework, claiming it would negatively impact Indian farmers by allowing cheaper agricultural imports from the US. Khera, currently in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh for a protest against the deal, questioned its transparency and accused the government of neglecting farmers’ interests.
He expressed concern over the lack of clarity in the deal, stating that even Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, seemed unaware of its contents. Khera highlighted the detrimental effects the agreement could have on farmers, particularly in states like Madhya Pradesh, known for soybean and cotton cultivation.
The Congress party is actively protesting the trade framework, with leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi set to lead a farmers’ convention in Bhopal. Congress spokespersons criticized the BJP government for allegedly compromising farmers’ incomes through international trade agreements. In Madhya Pradesh, soybean and cotton prices reportedly dropped significantly following the revelation of details about the trade deal.
