‘Won’t back down’: Rahul Gandhi meets farm unions as India–US pact row escalates

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi met farm union leaders in Parliament on Friday to discuss opposition to the India–US interim trade deal and the possibility of launching a nationwide movement to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods.

Rahul Gandhi met representatives of various farm unions at the Parliament House complex in New Delhi. During the meeting, leaders expressed concerns over the India–US interim trade agreement and its potential impact on Indian agriculture.

According to the Congress, discussions focused on the need to oppose the trade deal and protect the interests of farmers and farm labourers across the country.

Concerns over agricultural imports

Farm union leaders conveyed apprehensions that the agreement could open the door to increased agricultural imports, particularly affecting crops such as corn, soyabean, cotton, fruits and nuts.

Gandhi reportedly stated that the trade deal has already opened the door for agricultural imports and warned that more crops could be impacted in the future.

The leaders and Gandhi discussed the possibility of building a large-scale national movement to resist the deal and safeguard rural livelihoods.

Among those present were All India Kisan Congress chief Sukhpal S Khaira, Ashok Balhara of the Bharatiye Kisan Mazdoor Union (Haryana), Baldev S Zira of BKU Krantikari, R. NandKumar of the Progressive Farmers Front, Amarjit S Mohri of BKU Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Guramneet S Mangat of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha–India, and Hameed Malik of the J-K Zamidara Forum.

Rahul Gandhi’s earlier remarks

The meeting came a day after Gandhi asserted that legal action against him would not deter his support for farmers. He said that even if an FIR is filed or a privilege motion is brought, he would continue to stand with farmers.

In a video statement shared on X, Gandhi criticised the government over the trade agreement and alleged that any deal weakening farmers’ livelihoods or the country’s food security would be “anti-farmer”.

He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of compromising farmers’ interests through the interim trade arrangement.

The India–US interim trade deal has become a fresh political flashpoint between the ruling government and the opposition Congress party.

While the government has positioned the agreement as part of broader economic engagement, opposition leaders and farm groups argue that agricultural imports could adversely affect domestic producers.

Further political mobilisation on the issue is expected in the coming weeks as Parliament continues its session.
(With PTI inputs)