Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that India will never enter into any agreement that compromises the interests of its farmers, livestock rearers, or fishermen. Speaking during his address to the nation on India’s 79th Independence Day, Modi declared that he is “standing like a wall” to safeguard these communities from policies that could harm their livelihoods.
The statement comes at a crucial moment as India and the United States continue negotiations for a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). Washington is pushing for duty concessions in the agriculture and dairy sectors — demands that New Delhi firmly opposes.
The U.S. is seeking reduced tariffs on products such as corn, soybeans, apples, almonds, ethanol, and greater market access for American dairy products.
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India’s resistance stems from concerns that such concessions would severely impact local farmers and related industries. Modi’s assurance reinforces India’s long-standing trade stance, which has never included granting duty concessions in agriculture to any of its trading partners, even those like Australia and Switzerland with whom it has signed agreements.
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Trade tensions have been further fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to increase tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, effective from August 27. This is in addition to the existing 25 percent tariffs already imposed on Indian exports entering the American market.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment, Modi told the nation that no external pressure will force India into an unfavorable deal. “India will never accept any compromise regarding its farmers, livestock rearers, or fishermen,” he declared, drawing a firm line in the sand as trade negotiations intensify.
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