Rahul Gandhi Meets Farm Union Leaders; India–US Trade Deal And Way Forward Discussed

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday met leaders of farm unions from across the country in the Parliament House complex, where concerns over the proposed India–US interim trade deal and its potential impact on Indian agriculture were discussed.

According to party sources, the meeting focused on safeguarding farmers' and farm labourers' livelihoods and building opposition to the trade agreement. Farm leaders conveyed their deep concerns about the possible influx of agricultural imports under the deal, particularly in crops such as corn, soybean, cotton, fruits and nuts.

Gandhi reportedly said that the trade agreement has opened the door for increased agricultural imports and warned that other crops could soon follow. Such a move, he cautioned, could adversely affect Indian farmers and undermine domestic food security.

Both Gandhi and the farmer representatives discussed the need to organise a nationwide movement to oppose the trade deal and protect farmers’ interests.

Leaders Present

Among those present were Sukhpal Singh Khaira, President of the All India Kisan Congress; Kedar Sirohi of the Madhya Pradesh Kisan Congress; Ashok Balhara of the Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union (Haryana); Baldev Singh Jeera of the BKU Krantikari; R. Nandkumar of the Progressive Farmers Front; Amarjeet Singh Mohri and Tejveer Singh of the BKU Shaheed Bhagat Singh; and Gurmaneet Singh Mangat of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, among others.

Attack on the Government

A day earlier, Gandhi had intensified his criticism of the Centre over the trade pact. In a video message shared on social media, he said, “Whether an FIR is lodged, a case is filed, or a privilege motion is brought—I will continue to fight for the farmers.”

He added that any trade agreement that compromises farmers’ livelihoods or weakens the country’s food security framework would be unacceptable.

The Congress maintained that the party stands firmly with farmers and will oppose any policy move that it believes favours corporate interests at the cost of rural communities.