NEW DELHI (Feb 14, 2026) — A sharp political war of words has erupted after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi met with farmer representatives to discuss the recently signed India-US interim trade deal. While Gandhi framed the meeting as a move to protect agricultural interests, the BJP dismissed it as a “fake narrative.”
The Meeting: Farmers Raise Alarms
Rahul Gandhi hosted leaders from 17 major farmer unions at his Parliament office. The representatives voiced several concerns regarding the new trade framework:
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Market Access: Fear that cheaper US imports of corn, soybean, cotton, fruits, and nuts would crash domestic prices.
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Call for Protest: The unions urged a nationwide movement to resist the deal, claiming it prioritizes industrial exports over rural livelihoods.
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Gandhi’s Stance: He pledged to amplify their voices in Parliament, arguing that the deal lacks sufficient safeguards for small-scale farmers.
The BJP’s Rebuttal: “Fakery and Fabrication”
Union Minister Piyush Goyal hit back swiftly, releasing a video titled “Farzi Rahul Gandhi” on X. He characterized the interaction as a purely political stunt:
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“Stage-Managed”: Goyal alleged the “farmer leaders” were actually Congress activists posing as representatives.
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Misleading Narratives: The Minister accused Gandhi of trying to provoke annadatas (farmers) against economic policies that benefit the nation.
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Protection Claims: Goyal insisted the Modi government has fully protected farmers, stating that 90–95% of Indian agricultural products are completely excluded from the deal’s tariff concessions.
The Deal Context: Give and Take
The India-US agreement aims to balance trade by reducing barriers:
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Indian Gains: US tariffs on Indian textiles, leather, and pharmaceuticals will drop from up to 50% down to 18%.
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US Gains: India has granted limited market access to specific American crops, which the opposition claims is the “thin end of the wedge” for the domestic farm sector.
