New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that India will not bow to any trade demands that hurt farmers, livestock rearers, or fishermen. Speaking from the Red Fort on the 79th Independence Day, he said he is “standing like a wall” to protect their interests.
His remarks come as India and the US are negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), where Washington is pushing for reduced tariffs in agriculture and dairy sectors.
US Tariff Pressure on India
The US has recently raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, with the new rates coming into effect on August 27. Currently, Indian goods already face an extra 25 percent duty in the American market.
President Donald Trump’s administration is also seeking greater access for US agricultural exports to India, including corn, soybeans, apples, almonds, ethanol, and dairy products.
India’s Firm Resistance
India has firmly opposed these demands, saying they could harm millions of people who depend on farming, fishing, and livestock rearing for their livelihood. New Delhi has pointed out that it has never offered such tariff concessions to any country, including Australia and Switzerland, despite signing trade agreements with them.
Modi stressed that protecting the agricultural sector is not negotiable and that policies threatening local farmers and related communities will be blocked.
