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IndiAgri Bureau
New Delhi: India and the United States have begun a fresh round of discussions aimed at finalising an interim trade agreement, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer leading the negotiations. The two-day talks are expected to focus on expanding bilateral trade, but concerns are growing among Indian farmer organisations over potential concessions in the agriculture sector.
The United States has reiterated its demand for greater access to the Indian market for American products, including agricultural commodities. In a statement shared on social media, the US Embassy in India said Washington remains committed to achieving a "fair and reciprocal" trade agreement that creates opportunities for American exporters while benefiting both countries.
Although the Indian government has assured stakeholders that sensitive agricultural sectors will remain protected, several farmer organisations have expressed apprehension over the direction of the negotiations.
Farmer leaders point out that the India-US trade framework announced earlier this year identified agriculture as a key area for deeper market integration. They fear that any reduction in import duties on American farm products could adversely affect Indian producers, particularly small and marginal farmers.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh, supported by more than 40 farmer and fisher organisations, warned against allowing heavily subsidised American agricultural products into India.
The organisation highlighted that the United States provides substantial financial support to its farming sector through successive Farm Bills, enabling American producers to sell products at highly competitive prices. Farmer representatives argue that Indian farmers, who receive comparatively lower support, may struggle to compete if imports of products such as distillers dried grains (DDGs), sorghum, tree nuts, fruits, soybean oil and other agricultural commodities increase significantly.
Farmer groups from different states have urged the Centre to ensure that agriculture, dairy, fisheries and poultry sectors are safeguarded during the negotiations.
The Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association has appealed to the Prime Minister to honour earlier assurances that the interests of farmers and allied sectors would not be compromised under any trade arrangement. The organisation cautioned against accepting provisions that could weaken India's agricultural economy under external pressure.
The Bharatiya Kisan Union has also raised concerns that efforts to remove barriers to US agricultural exports could result in increased imports of subsidised dairy and poultry products. The union further warned that such measures might create pathways for the entry of genetically modified maize into the Indian market, an issue that remains sensitive among farmers and consumer groups.
The government has repeatedly maintained that India's agricultural interests remain a priority in trade discussions. Officials have stated that negotiations are being conducted with due consideration for food security, farmer welfare and rural livelihoods.
As India and the United States continue negotiations, the outcome of the talks will be closely watched by the farming community, which remains concerned about the long-term impact of trade liberalisation on domestic agriculture.
