"We don't have any problem if agreement is not affecting farmers...": JKNC MLA Tanvir Sadiq on interim US-India deal
Jammu, February 7
Jammu & Kashmir National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq on Saturday stated that he welcomes the interim agreement between India and the United States if it protects the Indian farmers.
"We don't have any problem if the agreement is not affecting the farmers. We should get an assurance that the interests of the farmers are safeguarded..." he said.
Moreover, the J&K People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi stressed that the centre should keep the interests of Indian economic interests in mind and not make another nation happy while making such international deals.
"The government of India needs to ensure that India's interests are safeguarded. It should not look like the deal is being done to make Donald Trump, some capital class happy...Our economic interests should not be surrendered. Government should ensure that Indian economic interests are safe," he said.
Meanwhile, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured that the government has protected all the major crops and dairy products, prioritising the benefits of farmers in the interim framework for the US-India trade agreement.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan also emphasised that the deal would also open US markets for Indian exports, saying, "Our basmati rice will rock the US."
"There's going to be a lot of benefit. It is in the favour of farmers and people of India. We have protected all the major crops and dairy products. On the other hand, farmers will get markets for export. Our Basmati rice will rock the US. Our spices will go there. This is in the best interest of farmers," the Agriculture Minister told reporters.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan's comments came as he was interacting with farmers in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh.
India and the US announced a framework for an Interim Agreement regarding reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade. The joint statement said that the framework reaffirms the countries' commitment to the broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations, launched by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2025, which will include additional market access commitments and support more resilient supply chains.
Both countries said they would promptly implement the framework and work toward finalising the Interim Agreement, with a view to concluding a comprehensive and mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement in line with the agreed roadmap.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, a trade deal where our farmers' interests are being talked about upfront. For too long, our annadata has been ignored in global talks. Minister Chouhan's confidence is reassuring. Let's get those export markets open!
The PDP MLA has a point. We shouldn't make deals just to please another country's leadership. India first should mean India's economic interests first, every single time. Hope the government walks the talk.
As someone who follows international trade, this seems like a positive step. Opening the US market for basmati and spices could be a game-changer for Indian agriculture exports. Cautiously optimistic.
"Our basmati rice will rock the US" – I like the confidence! But sir, please also ensure the small and marginal farmers benefit, not just the big agri-corporates. The real test is on the ground.
Respectfully, we've heard assurances before. The 2020-21 farm laws were also said to be for farmers' benefit. Transparency is key. The full agreement details must be made public for proper scrutiny.
Protecting dairy is crucial! So many livelihoods depend on
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