Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday stepped up his attack on the Centre over the proposed trade arrangement with the United States, warning that it could “betray” Indian farmers and weaken the country’s agricultural sovereignty. Addressing five pointed questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi sought clarity on issues such as genetically modified (GM) crops, removal of so-called non-trade barriers and the possible influx of American farm products into India.
“We are witnessing a betrayal of India’s farmers in the name of a US trade deal,” Gandhi wrote on X while sharing his questions.
The Congress MP, who has been raising the issue both inside and outside Parliament in recent days, questioned what the import of DDG (Dried Distillers Grains) would mean in practical terms. He asked whether Indian cattle would end up being fed distillers grain made from genetically modified American corn, and whether that could make India’s milk production dependent on US agriculture.
He also flagged concerns over the possible import of GM soybean oil, asking how soybean farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and other states would cope with another potential price shock. Gandhi further sought clarity on references to “additional products” in the agreement, questioning whether this could eventually open the door to imports of pulses and other key crops.
Raising the issue of removing “non-trade barriers”, he asked whether India might face future pressure to dilute its stand on GM crops, weaken procurement systems, or scale back MSP and bonus mechanisms. “Once this door is opened, how will we prevent it from being pushed wider every year?” he asked, calling for clear safeguards.
Gandhi said farmers deserved transparent answers from the Prime Minister, adding that the matter was not just about immediate trade terms but about the long-term direction of India’s agricultural policy.
India and the United States recently announced an interim trade framework under which Washington would lower tariffs on a broad range of Indian goods — from levels that had reportedly touched nearly 50 per cent to about 18 per cent. In exchange, India is expected to increase purchases of American goods, including energy and technology products, with a non-binding target of up to USD 500 billion in the coming years.
The government has maintained that sensitive US agricultural imports are excluded from the arrangement to protect domestic interests and that India’s policy space on critical issues remains intact. Both sides have said they intend to deepen economic cooperation further.
However, the announcement triggered strong criticism from the Congress and other Opposition parties, which argued that the deal could hurt Indian farmers and disproportionately benefit the United States.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha last week during the discussion on the Union Budget, Gandhi described the agreement as a “wholesale surrender” and alleged that it compromised India’s energy security and farmers’ interests. He claimed the government had effectively “sold Bharat Mata” through the deal and questioned the circumstances under which it was finalised.
The BJP responded sharply, accusing Gandhi of spreading misinformation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the interests of farmers and fishermen had been fully protected in the agreement and charged the Congress leader with misleading the public. Shah alleged that Gandhi was repeatedly making unfounded claims and urged him to examine the details of recent trade agreements, including those with the UK and the EU, in addition to the US.
Amid the political sparring, Gandhi met representatives of various farmers’ unions at Parliament House on Friday. According to party sources, the discussions focused on mobilising opposition to the India-US interim trade framework and safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers and agricultural workers.