theTripurapost News Images

Rahul Questions PM on India–US Farm Deal

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
  • Feb 15, 2026
  • 13

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday posed five pointed questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the proposed India–US trade agreement, alleging that Indian farmers were being “betrayed” in its name.

In a post on X, Gandhi argued that the issue transcends immediate trade terms and concerns the long-term trajectory of India’s agricultural sector. He contended that farmers deserve transparency and sought to know whether the agreement could allow a foreign power to establish a durable foothold within India’s agricultural ecosystem.

Gandhi’s Five Key Concerns

1. Import of DDG (Dried Distillers’ Grains):
Gandhi questioned whether importing DDG would result in Indian cattle being fed distillers’ grains derived from genetically modified (GM) American corn. He asked if this could gradually make India’s dairy sector dependent on US agribusiness.

2. Import of GM Soy Oil:
He raised concerns over the potential impact of permitting GM soy oil imports on domestic soybean cultivators in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, cautioning against possible price volatility and distress sales.

3. “Additional Products” Clause:
Seeking clarity on the scope of “additional products” under the trade framework, Gandhi asked whether the provision might eventually extend to pulses and other sensitive crops, thereby widening market access for US agricultural exports.

4. Removal of Non-Trade Barriers:
He questioned whether dismantling so-called non-trade barriers could pressure India to dilute its regulatory position on GM crops, weaken public procurement mechanisms, or erode the Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime and associated bonuses.

5. Future Safeguards:
Gandhi also asked how the government intends to prevent incremental expansion of such agreements over time, which could expose a broader range of crops to foreign competition.

Framing the matter as one tied to food security and structural autonomy, Gandhi asserted that trade liberalisation must not come at the expense of farmers’ livelihoods or national agricultural resilience.

Shah’s Sharp Rebuttal

Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded forcefully, accusing Gandhi of spreading misinformation regarding India’s trade engagements with the US, UK and EU.

Speaking at an event in Gandhinagar, Shah dismissed the allegations as “ridiculous” and challenged Gandhi to a public debate. He maintained that since 2014, under Modi’s leadership, no policy had harmed farmers. On the contrary, he claimed, the government has consistently safeguarded the interests of agriculture, dairy producers and allied sectors in all trade negotiations.

Shah reassured farmers, livestock rearers and fishermen that there was no cause for alarm and asserted that India’s trade agreements incorporate adequate protections for domestic stakeholders.

Political Implications

The exchange highlights the enduring political sensitivity surrounding agricultural trade reform in India—particularly in the aftermath of nationwide protests against the now-repealed farm laws and continuing debates over MSP guarantees, GM crop regulation and import policies.

With agriculture employing a substantial segment of the population, the proposed India–US trade deal is poised to remain a contentious issue, shaping political discourse as future electoral contests approach.