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Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says Indo-US trade pact fully protects interests of Indian farmers.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says deal will boost exports and farmers are safe under India-US trade agreement. (IMAGE: PTI FILE)
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday strongly defended the Indo-US trade agreement, rejecting Opposition claims that the deal would harm Indian farmers and the dairy sector.
Responding to criticism from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders, Chouhan said the agreement, finalised under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was a positive step for the country.
“The interests of the farmers have been completely protected. Farmers’ interests are completely safe. Our main foodgrains, fruits, all our main crops, our millets, everything is safe. Dairy products are safe,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.
Chouhan described the agreement as “a new example of diplomacy, development, and dignity,” and accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation about its provisions.
The minister dismissed the criticism, calling it politically motivated, saying the Congress was frustrated after repeated electoral defeats.
“The Congress and the opposition are frustrated, mentally disturbed. They cannot compete in the field. One defeat after another has filled them with frustration, despair, and resentment,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.
He further attacked the Opposition, saying they had become “a machine of lies, a market of rumours,” according to the news agency’s report.
Chouhan argued that the trade deal would, in fact, benefit Indian farmers by boosting exports through lower tariffs in the US market.
Citing official figures, he pointed to rice exports worth Rs 63,000 crore to the United States and said reduced duties would further increase exports of rice, spices, and textiles, indirectly benefiting cotton farmers as well.
Addressing concerns that over 50 per cent of Indians involved in farming could be affected by increased American imports, he said: “No large quantities of goods will start coming. As I said earlier, all our main crops are safe. No market has been opened up. Whether it’s staple grains, major fruits, or dairy products, everything is secure”.
The minister was responding to fears triggered by a recent social media post by the US Treasury Secretary, who said that more American farm products would be exported to India under the new arrangement.
Chouhan said Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had already clarified the issue in Parliament and assured lawmakers that the interests of Indian agriculture had been fully safeguarded.
The agriculture ministry, in a separate official release, reiterated that the agreement does not open up India’s core agricultural markets and that existing protections for sensitive sectors remain firmly in place.
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February 06, 2026, 01:02 IST
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