New Delhi, February 3
Congress MP from Chandigarh and former Union Minister Manish Tewari has raised serious questions to the central government regarding a potential agricultural trade agreement with the United States. While speaking to journalists, Tewari said that statements coming from the US indicate that India’s agricultural market is being opened to American agricultural products, which could create a highly worrying situation for the country’s farming sector. He said that the US Agriculture Secretary publicly congratulated President Donald Trump, stating that India’s market had been opened for American agricultural products. He added that such statements raise major concerns about the future of farmers.
Tewari stressed that this is an extremely serious issue for the agriculture sector. If the US Agriculture Secretary is claiming that India’s market has been opened to American agricultural products, then the government should present the complete truth before the nation. He said that they have brought an adjournment motion in Parliament over this demand. He further stated that a detailed discussion on this issue is necessary in Parliament so that the country can know what was actually decided during talks with President Trump. He said that all facts and terms of any such discussions should be placed before the House. An open debate should be held so that the truth can come out.
Expressing concern over the potential impact on farmers, the Congress MP said that statements from the US Agriculture Secretary and President Trump are increasing apprehensions that if any agricultural trade deal is finalised, it may have a direct and negative impact on the country’s farming sector. The government must clarify what steps have been taken to safeguard farmers’ interests. Tewari clearly stated that any compromise with farmers’ interests will not be accepted and the government must respond to the entire matter with full transparency.
