New Delhi’s political corridors are buzzing with heated exchanges over the much-anticipated India-US trade agreement. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has unleashed a sharp critique, branding the deal as detrimental to Indian farmers. Speaking in Parliament, Gandhi warned that the pact could inflict serious damage on the nation’s agriculture sector, a cornerstone of India’s economy.
The controversy erupted as Gandhi repeatedly highlighted potential risks to farmers’ livelihoods, prompting a swift rebuttal from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. They accused him of spreading misinformation and undermining a deal poised to boost bilateral trade. BJP national spokesperson RP Singh, in an exclusive interview, dismissed Gandhi’s claims outright. ‘The truth is, no farmer will suffer from this trade deal,’ Singh asserted. He drew parallels with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bold decision to withdraw from the RCEP pact in 2019, a move aimed at safeguarding farmers’ interests—unlike the UPA government’s near-finalization of it in 2012.
Singh emphasized Modi’s unwavering commitment: any international agreement must prioritize farmers. Echoing this, Punjab BJP leader Fateh Jang Singh Bajwa targeted Gandhi and the opposition for lacking substantive issues. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Bajwa noted, has assured that the deal poses no threat to farmers or their produce. The central government, he added, has fortified protections to shield agrarian interests at all costs.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam weighed in, confirming the deal’s completion with an announcement from former US President Donald Trump. Discussions on tariffs, including a proposed 18% rate, are underway, though full details remain under wraps. Nirupam cautioned against politicizing the issue prematurely, urging opposition figures to exercise patience until terms are public. As negotiations progress, this clash underscores deep divisions on how best to balance global trade ambitions with domestic agricultural safeguards. The coming months will reveal whether the deal delivers prosperity or fuels further discord.