Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 14: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday intensified his attack on the finalised India-US trade agreement, alleging that the deal would severely impact India’s cotton farmers and textile exporters.
In a post on X, Rahul claimed that the government had walked into a “trap” that could push millions of families towards unemployment. “18% Tariff versus 0% – Let me explain how the Prime Minister, a master at telling lies, and his Cabinet are spreading confusion on this. And how they’re deceiving the country’s cotton farmers and textile exporters through the India-US trade deal,” he said.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha stated that after Indian garments were subjected to an 18 per cent tariff in the US market, he raised the issue in Parliament regarding a special concession granted to Bangladesh. According to him, a minister responded that India would have to import cotton from the US to secure similar benefits.
Rahul alleged that Bangladesh was being given zero tariff access for garment exports to the US on the condition that it imports American cotton, adding that Dhaka was signalling it might reduce or stop cotton imports from India.
“Is it really any kind of option – or a trap designed to corner us in a ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ situation? If we import American cotton, our own farmers will be ruined. If we don’t, our textile industry will fall behind and be destroyed,” he questioned.
Earlier too, Rahul had criticised the Centre over the pact with Washington, alleging that it “betrays our food security and farmers,” and claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened India’s agricultural market because US President Donald Trump “has him by the throat.”
The remarks came after Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday rejected Rahul’s criticism and accused him of misleading farmers.
In a video message on X, Goyal said Rahul had once again rolled out a “stage-managed, artificial and fake narrative,” alleging that he was using Congress activists posing as farmer leaders to create a baseless controversy.
Goyal asserted that the government had fully protected farmers’ interests in the agreement and stood by his statement “on record and with full responsibility.” He added that the deal would benefit farmers, fishermen, youth, MSMEs, startups and artisans, and would not harm agricultural producers.