Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday renewed his criticism of the Union government about the trade deal with the United States, alleging that it amounted to “a betrayal of India’s farmers”.

India and the US agreed on a framework for the interim trade deal on February 2. While the agreement has reduced US tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50%, Opposition parties have expressed concerns that the interests of farmers and small and medium enterprises may be jeopardised through the agreement.

Gandhi on Sunday referred to the proposed import of Dried Distillers’ Grains, and asked what this would mean in practice. He questioned whether Indian cattle would be fed distillers’ grain derived from genetically modified American corn and whether that would effectively integrate India’s dairy supply chain with the US agricultural system.

The Congress leader also raised concerns about the possible import of genetically modified soya oil, and asked what the consequences would be for soya farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and elsewhere in the country. He questioned how they would withstand another price shock.

Gandhi further asked what the term “additional products” meant in the context of the deal, and whether it indicated pressure to open up pulses and other sensitive crops to US imports over time.

He also asked whether removing “non-trade barriers” would require India to dilute its position on genetically modified crops, weaken procurement systems, or undermine minimum support prices and bonuses in the future.

“Once this door opens, how do we prevent it from widening every year?” he asked. “Will there be safeguards, or will more crops steadily be put on the table in each negotiation round?”

On February 12, Gandhi had accused Modi of being “anti-farmer”, and of “selling” the interests of the country in the trade deal with the US.

Indian goods had been facing a combined US tariff rate of 50%, including a punitive levy of 25% imposed in August for purchasing Russian oil. Trump had on February 7 removed the additional 25% punitive levy, bringing the effective US tariff rate on Indian imports down to 18%.

On February 4, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said in Parliament that the interests of sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy will be protected under the trade deal between India and the US.

However, farmer unions have alleged that the framework contradicts repeated assurances by Goyal that agriculture and dairy would be kept outside of the agreement.

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