New Delhi : Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and several other states are heading to Delhi on Monday for a Mahapanchayat at Kisan Ghat to protest against the proposed India-US trade agreement, even though negotiations are still underway and no deal has been signed. Anticipating large crowds, Haryana Police tightened security at key border points, stopping farmer convoys at Khanauri and Bastara while maintaining heavy barricading at the Shambhu border.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) also remain in force in parts of the state. The protest comes despite repeated assurances from the Centre that India’s agricultural interests will not be compromised and that sensitive farm products have been kept out of the negotiations. Farmer organisations, including the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, argue that reducing trade barriers could allow cheaper, heavily subsidised agricultural imports from the United States to enter the Indian market.
The unions also believe the agreement could eventually extend beyond agriculture to cover sectors such as dairy, industry, digital trade, e-commerce, government procurement, intellectual property rights and services. They have urged the Centre to abandon the proposed agreement and safeguard the interests of farmers and ordinary citizens. Opposition to the deal has been building for months. Farmer groups in Punjab have organised motorcycle rallies, while thousands of farmers across the country recently burnt symbolic copies of the proposed agreement, alleging that it could weaken India’s agricultural sector.
According to Reuters, the latest round of talks ended without a breakthrough after the US did not provide assurances on some of India’s key demands. These include preferential tariff treatment compared to competing countries such as China and guarantees against the imposition of new tariffs after the agreement is signed. Reuters also reported that India has refused to compromise on agriculture during the negotiations. An Indian government official familiar with the talks said New Delhi would not rush into an agreement that fails to protect the country’s “red lines”, particularly on agriculture.
He said recent discussions with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer reaffirmed both sides’ commitment to reaching an agreement that benefits businesses, farmers, workers and consumers in India and the United States. Trade Secretary Rajesh Agrawal also said the framework for the proposed agreement is ready and will be signed only when the time is right, indicating that negotiations remain ongoing. The Centre has repeatedly assured farmers that sensitive agricultural products are being protected and that no agreement will be finalised at the cost of India’s farming sector.
Read Also : PM Modi Calls NEET Paper Leak ‘Grave Sin’, Vows Strict Action Against Accused