Chandigarh, July 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
In a joint statement issued by Akali Dal Waris Punjab de leader Bapu Tarsem Singh Khalsa and Manpreet Singh Iyali, they asked the Central Government to keep agricultural products outside the ambit of the proposed US–India trade agreement. They warned that the deal, which is reportedly expected to be finalised by July 24, 2026, could have far-reaching economic consequences for Indian farmers, particularly Punjab farmers.
Speaking on the issue, Manpreet Singh Ayali said the United States has been pressuring India for decades to open its agricultural sector to American trade. He alleged that the Central Government has now decided to allow greater imports of agricultural products from the US and that the Ministry of Commerce has already given its approval.
Ayali cautioned that the agreement could be signed and implemented before July 24, 2026, and would adversely affect the livelihoods of millions of farmers across the country. He said Punjab, being one of India’s leading agricultural states, would be among the worst affected.
He said that once the agreement comes into force, large quantity of American dairy products, poultry products, cotton, soybeans, corn powder and other agricultural commodities could enter the Indian market. He said, it would lead to a sharp decline in domestic prices and leave Indian farmers struggling to secure remunerative returns for their produce.
Highlighting the disparity in government support, Ayali said American farmers receive substantial subsidies. He claimed that livestock and crop producers in the US benefit from extensive financial assistance, whereas support available to Indian farmers remains comparatively limited. As a result, Indian farmers would be forced to compete with heavily subsidised imports on unequal terms.
Ayali also expressed concern over imbalance in tariff structures. He said that while India maintains relatively low import duties on several agricultural products, the United States continues to impose significant high tariffs on a range of Indian agricultural exports. Such disparities, would place Indian farmers at a serious disadvantage.
Bapu Tarsem Singh Khalsa, in his statement, said that the interests of the country’s farmers must remain paramount in any international trade negotiations. He emphasised that agriculture is the backbone of Punjab’s economy and warned that any policy decision that weakens the farming sector would have serious social and economic repercussions.
Bapu Tarsem Singh Khalsa said that before entering into any such agreement, the Central Government should undertake comprehensive consultations with farmer organisations, agricultural experts and state governments. Decisions affecting the future of Indian agriculture, he said, should not be taken without broad-based stakeholder engagement.
He further expressed apprehension that the proposed trade deal could facilitate entry of multinational corporations into India’s agricultural sector and encourage the wider use of genetically modified (GMO) seeds. He said, such developments could significantly alter the existing agricultural landscape and create new challenges for farmers, particularly small and marginal land owners..
Both the leaders called upon the Central Government to provide complete transparency regarding the proposed agreement and ensure that agricultural products are excluded from the negotiations. They urged the government to prioritise the interests of Indian farmers.
They also warned that if the Centre proceeds with the agreement despite concerns raised by the farming community, Akali Dal Waris Punjab De would stand firmly with farmers and labour organisations. They said, Waris Punjab De would lead movement to safeguard the interests of India’s agricultural sector.
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