Farmers in India — particularly cotton and soybean producers — could face the greatest challenges from the country’s trade agreement with the United States, according to Sachin Pilot, general secretary of the Indian National Congress and former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan.
Pilot said the agreement has raised serious concerns among farmers and small traders, warning that its consequences could be most visible in the soybean and cotton sectors, which are already sensitive to price volatility and global competition.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly raised the issue both inside and outside Parliament, Pilot noted, adding that the opposition believes the government did not sufficiently consider the interests of farmers, small businesses, and young people during negotiations.
Pilot also questioned statements by Donald Trump regarding trade and energy cooperation with India, expressing concern that commitments related to U.S. oil purchases could pose risks to the country’s energy security.
Opposition representatives argue that reducing tariffs on agricultural imports could increase competition for domestic producers. In particular, they warn that potential imports of products such as maize or almonds from the United States could put additional pressure on small-scale farmers and reshape India’s agricultural market dynamics.
