Overview
- Rahul Gandhi published five questions for the prime minister focused on DDG livestock feed, potential GM soybean oil imports, the scope of “additional products,” the meaning of removing “non‑trade barriers,” and safeguards against gradual openings in sensitive farm sectors.
- He also warned of risks to cotton growers and textile exporters, alleging that Bangladesh gets zero‑tariff access for garments to the US if it uses American cotton, compared with an 18% rate on Indian garments.
- Union home minister Amit Shah rejected the charges, saying agriculture and dairy are fully protected in recent pacts and challenging Gandhi to a public debate on who has worked for farmers’ welfare.
- Agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that no genetically modified products have been permitted under the India–US arrangement and called concerns about DDGS imports baseless.
- The interim framework followed a Modi–Trump call and reduced US tariffs on many Indian goods to about 18% from near 50%, with the government reiterating that sensitive farm sectors are excluded as Gandhi met farm‑union leaders to discuss opposition to the pact.