New Delhi, Feb 13 — Leaders of several farmer organisations, led by senior Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira, on Thursday met Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and appealed for a nationwide agitation against the proposed Indo-US trade agreement, terming it “anti-farmer” and a threat to India’s agricultural economy.
During the meeting at the Parliament House complex, the delegation cautioned that allowing large-scale imports of agricultural produce under the trade pact could “severely hit” Indian farmers and agricultural labourers. Farmer leaders flagged possible adverse effects on crops such as maize, soybean and cotton, as well as fruits and dry fruits.
“The farming community fears that opening the doors to heavily subsidised foreign agricultural products will devastate Indian agriculture,” the delegation told Gandhi, warning that the proposed agreement could “undermine farmers’ incomes and compromise the country’s food security.”
Assuring the delegation of his support, Gandhi said he would stand with farmers against any policy that harms their interests. “Any trade agreement that compromises farmers’ income or weakens India’s food security is unacceptable,” he said, adding that the Congress would oppose such measures “both inside and outside Parliament.”
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Khaira said there was a broad consensus among farmer bodies to launch a nationwide movement against the proposed pact. “Indian agriculture cannot compete with highly subsidised foreign products. This agreement is being seen by farmers as a direct threat to their livelihood,” he said.
Khaira said the All India Kisan Congress would work to unite farmers along with various unions and like-minded organisations. “We will build a strong, democratic movement to protect the rights and dignity of the breadwinners of this country,” he said, adding that the Congress leadership was “fully committed” to the cause.
The meeting was attended by farmer leaders from multiple states, reflecting what organisers described as growing nationwide concern over the implications of the proposed trade agreement.
Khaira also appealed to the government to place all details of the negotiations in the public domain. “The government must immediately make the terms of the Indo-US trade talks public and refrain from signing any agreement that compromises the economic security of Indian farmers,” he said.