AAP Leader Denounces India-US Trade Agreement as Anti-Farmer Move
CHANDIGARH: In a strongly worded condemnation, Aam Aadmi Party's Punjab chief spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has labeled the proposed India-US trade deal as the "biggest betrayal" of the country's agricultural community. During a press conference held on Wednesday, Dhaliwal launched a scathing attack on the central government, accusing it of compromising national interests to favor foreign agricultural producers.
Accusations of Tariff Imbalance and Market Access
Dhaliwal presented a detailed critique of the trade agreement's alleged terms, highlighting what he described as a severe imbalance. "The United States currently imposes an 18 percent tariff on Indian goods entering their market," he stated. "Meanwhile, the Modi government has reportedly agreed to allow American products to enter India at zero duty. This creates an inherently unfair situation where our farmers face barriers abroad while foreign competitors get unrestricted access here."
The AAP leader specifically warned about the potential impact on domestic agricultural sectors:
- Grains and Cereals: American agricultural products, including red sorghum, could flood Indian markets, directly competing with farmers growing maize, millets, and sorghum in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
- Fruit Cultivation: Duty-free imports of apples and dry fruits from the United States would adversely affect fruit-growers in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, undermining their livelihoods.
Political Criticism and Transparency Demands
Dhaliwal turned his criticism toward Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, who has publicly supported the trade deal. "Instead of praising this agreement in media statements, Jakhar should make the actual draft public for scrutiny," Dhaliwal challenged. He drew a pointed comparison between Jakhar's support and the Shiromani Akali Dal's previous backing of the now-repealed farm laws, suggesting similar political consequences could follow.
The AAP spokesperson raised significant concerns about the agreement's transparency and democratic process. "Details about this deal have only emerged through statements by US President Donald Trump," he alleged. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has neither discussed it in Parliament nor taken the country into confidence. This lack of transparency is deeply troubling for a matter of national importance."
Broader Implications and Continued Opposition
Dhaliwal emphasized that the implications extend beyond the agricultural sector. "This issue concerns not just farmers but the entire nation," he asserted. "When our food security and rural economy are threatened, every citizen should be concerned."
The AAP leader concluded by reaffirming his party's commitment to opposing what he described as the BJP's anti-farmer policies. "We will continue to stand with India's farmers and oppose any agreement that sacrifices their interests for political or economic convenience," Dhaliwal declared, positioning the trade deal as a critical battleground in ongoing agricultural policy debates.
