Rahul Gandhi and Amit Shah (R)
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday continued his attacks on the Centre over the India–US trade deal, reiterating his charge that the PM Modi-led government has “betrayed farmers” in the name of the agreement. He also posed some “straightforward questions” directly to the prime minister.However, Union home minister Amit Shah hit back at Rahul, accusing the Congress leader of “spreading lies” about India’s recent trade deals with the United States and the European Union.In a lengthy post on X, the former Congress president raised five questions addressed to PM Modi. He wrote: 1. “What does importing DDG actually mean? Does it mean that Indian livestock will be fed distillers’ grain made from GM American maize? Won’t this effectively make our dairy products dependent on the American agricultural industry?”2. “If we allow imports of GM soya oil, what will happen to our soya farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and across the country? How will they cope with yet another price shock?”3. “When you say ‘additional products’, what exactly does that include? Is this a sign of future pressure to open up pulses and other crops to American imports over time?”4. “What does removing ‘non-trade barriers’ mean? Will there be pressure on India in future to loosen its stance on GM crops, weaken procurement, or reduce MSP and bonuses?”5. “Once this door is open, how will we stop it from opening wider every year? Will there be safeguards, or will more and more crops be gradually put on the table in every deal?”He added that farmers deserve clarity on these issues.Rahul ended his post by raising a broader concern about India’s sovereign decision-making in trade matters, saying: “This isn’t just about today. It’s about the future too – are we allowing another country to gain long-term control over India’s agricultural industry?”Meanwhile, Amit Shah, speaking at the launch event of Gujarat’s Central Bank Digital Currency, said: “He (Rahul Gandhi) is misleading people about the FTA with the European Union and the UK, and claiming that the trade agreement with the United States has harmed farmers’ interests. I want to challenge Rahul Gandhi: set up any platform, and the president of the BJP’s youth wing will come and debate with you on who has actually caused harm.” Dismissing the Congress leader’s criticism of the India–US trade pact as “laughable lies” aimed at misleading rural voters, Shah asserted that the agreements have been carefully structured to protect core agricultural interests while expanding India’s global trade footprint.He added: “Today, I have come to this platform to tell the farmers of the country that Rahul Gandhi is lying; he is misleading them. In the FTAs with the UK and the European Union, and the trade deal with the US, farmers have been fully protected by PM Modi. No one needs to worry.”
