Khaira meets Rahul Gandhi with farmer leaders to oppose proposed India-US interim trade deal

Chandigarh: Senior Congress leader, MLA from Bholath and chairman of the All India Kisan Congress, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, met Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with leaders of various farmers' organisations from across the country at the Parliament House complex in New Delhi.During the meeting, the farmer delegation expressed deep concern over the proposed India-US interim trade agreement, which they warned could severely threaten the livelihoods of Indian farmers and farm labourers by opening the doors for large-scale agricultural imports. The delegation highlighted the potential adverse impact on key crops, including corn, soybean, cotton, fruits and nuts, and cautioned that such a move could destabilise India's agricultural economy and weaken the country's food security.Gandhi assured the delegation of his full support and reiterated his firm commitment to stand with the farming community against any policy that harms their interests. He emphasised that any trade agreement that compromises farmers' incomes or the nation's food security was unacceptable and assured that the Congress party would strongly oppose such anti-farmer measures both inside and outside Parliament.Khaira, while briefing the media after the meeting, said there was a broad consensus on launching a nationwide movement to oppose the proposed trade deal and to safeguard the interests of farmers and agricultural workers across the country. He said the farming community viewed the agreement as a serious threat that could expose Indian agriculture to unfair competition from heavily subsidised foreign produce.Khaira further said that the All India Kisan Congress, in coordination with various farmer unions and like-minded organisations, will mobilise farmers across states to build a strong democratic movement to protect their livelihoods. Khaira urged the Union govt to immediately make the full details of the trade negotiations public and refrain from signing any agreement that compromises the economic security of Indian farmers.