Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : Rahul Gandhi raises farmers’ concerns on US trade deal, poses five questions to Modi and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has intensified his criticism of the proposed India–US trade arrangement, accusing the government of compromising farmers’ interests and seeking direct answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on what he described as five “straightforward” questions.
In a series of posts on social media on Sunday, the Congress MP alleged that Indian farmers were being “betrayed” in the name of strengthening trade ties with the United States. He argued that key aspects of the negotiations could have far-reaching implications for agriculture, particularly in relation to genetically modified (GM) crops and import policies.
Gandhi questioned the implications of allowing imports of distillers’ dried grains (DDG), asking whether such a move would result in Indian cattle being fed grain derived from genetically modified American maize. He suggested this could effectively bind India’s dairy supply chain to the US agricultural system, raising concerns about long-term dependency.
Turning to edible oils and pulses, he warned that permitting imports of GM soya oil could severely affect domestic producers, especially farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. He asked how growers would cope with another potential fall in prices if cheaper imports entered the market.
The Congress leader also sought clarity on references to “additional products” in the trade discussions, questioning whether this indicated possible future pressure to open up sensitive sectors such as pulses to US imports.