In July, US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on India as a reciprocal measure. However, agriculture has long been a sticking point between the two allies, even after signing a bilateral trade deal. From dairy farmers to fishermen, the sector now faces significant challenges, with the new tariff rates expected to cause substantial harm.
PM Modi took a strong stand against these tariffs levied on the livelihood of farmers. Defending the agricultural sector, he stated that the interests of farmers would “remain a top priority,” as major farmers’ organisations hailed his stance. PM Modi added that he was ready if he would have to “personally pay a very heavy price.”
Supporting these claims was Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan lauded the Prime Minister and instilled confidence in the farmers despite the tariff pressure.
Farmers hail PM Modi
Praising the “farmer-friendly” vision, Dharmendra Choudhary, National President of the Indian Farmer Chaudhary Charan Singh Organisation, praised PM Modi for his statement in the interest of farmers, livestock rearers, and fishermen. He expressed the relief and the strength of self-reliance that the food providers felt. “We wholeheartedly welcome and support this far-sighted and farmer-friendly vision,” he added.
Other leaders like Virendra Lohan from the Chhattisgarh Youth Progressive Farmers’ Association, Dharmendra Malik, Kirpa Singh Natthuwala, Kuldeep Singh Bajidpur and many others echoed Choudhary’s stand. They thanked the Prime Minister and expressed that “no foreign power” can control the soul of the nation. They also extended their support to New Delhi’s stand on free trade and urged for them to not be changed.
“We were very worried about American pressure on the agreement. If it had gone through, farmers would have been ruined,” noted Natthuwala, claiming that the farmers of the nation stood with PM Modi and the Agriculture ministry.
PM Modi’s stand on agri-tariffs
This comes after India’s stand on the ongoing trade negotiations, which aim to modify the agreement’s entire basis by allowing genetically modified (GM) crops into the country. To protect the millions of farmers, the Modi government said that this was “non-negotiable on principle” and affirmed that, “we can’t import GM.”
As these tariffs are set to come into affect on August 27, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, too, had a strong stance on the matter. Drawing a comparison between the foreign farmers and farmers of India, he pointed out the steep difference in the privilege. Even opposition party members like Shashi Tharoor and Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the US tariffs which hollowed the very principle of global trade.