Farmers in Punjab protest proposed India-US trade deal, cite concerns over agricultural imports
NEW DELHI: Farmers affiliated with the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) held protests across Punjab on Wednesday against the proposed India-US trade agreement. The demonstrators expressed concerns that the pact could harm farmers, labourers, small traders and the youth. At several locations, they burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.
The protests were organised at nearly 28 locations across 21 districts of Punjab, following a call by the KMM. Protesters raised slogans opposing what they described as 'anti-farmer and anti-worker' policies.
In Hoshiarpur, district president Paramjit Singh Bhulla alleged that the trade agreement would open India's agricultural market to foreign products, putting additional pressure on small and marginal farmers. Farmer leaders claimed that the pact could lead to increased imports of agricultural commodities such as pulses, fruits, vegetables and other food items, affecting domestic farmers' incomes and the agriculture sector.
They argued that American farmers receive large-scale government support and operate on bigger landholdings, making it difficult for Indian farmers, who mostly have smaller farms, to compete. The protesters also alleged that government trade policies favoured multinational companies and global trade interests at the expense of farmers and the dairy sector.
KMM leaders accused the government of not consulting farmers' organisations and other stakeholders before making decisions affecting agriculture. They demanded the cancellation of the India-US trade agreement, withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 and Seed Bill 2025, and opposed the installation of smart electricity meters.
The protests come as India and the US continue negotiations on the first phase of their Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The two countries recently concluded a two-day ministerial-level round of talks in New Delhi, where Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer reviewed progress on the proposed interim pact. The commerce ministry said discussions covered issues including enhanced market access, digital trade and reducing non-tariff barriers.
The two sides are aiming to conclude an interim agreement before the expiry of the US temporary 10 per cent tariff on imports from trading partners on July 24.
During the protests, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Doaba) president Manjit Singh Rai highlighted the need for better preparedness in light of recent remarks by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on possible uneven monsoon conditions. Rai reiterated farmers' demand for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops and called for promoting water-saving farming practices and better utilisation of canal irrigation facilities. He also suggested forming district-level teams to address agricultural challenges and prepare farmers for weather-related risks.
The India-US trade agreement negotiations have become a major point of debate among farmer groups, with unions raising concerns over market access, competition and the possible impact of increased agricultural imports on domestic producers.
