The Congress party has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of opportunistically posing as a champion of Indian farmers, claiming his newfound rhetoric is a desperate response to US President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies.
On Thursday, Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in retaliation for India’s continued crude oil imports from Russia, escalating tensions as bilateral trade talks falter. PM Modi, addressing a global conference marking the centenary of agri-scientist M.S. Swaminathan, vowed that India would “never compromise” on farmers’ interests, even at “great personal cost.” Congress leaders, however, dismissed his stance as a hollow attempt to salvage his image.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh took to X to highlight PM Modi’s past indifference to farmers, recalling how the Prime Minister mocked protesting farmers as “andolanjeevis” in Parliament in 2020 during the agitation against three controversial farm laws. “Over 750 farmers died during those protests, yet Modi offered no regret or sympathy,” Ramesh said, referencing the year-long movement that forced the repeal of the laws in 2021. He accused PM Modi of ignoring ongoing demands for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on the Swaminathan formula (cost of cultivation plus 50%) and comprehensive debt relief—demands echoed by farmers’ groups and even former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Ramesh also pointed to PM Modi’s near-miss with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2019, which he claimed would have “devastated” Indian farmers and dairy producers by flooding markets with cheap imports. “Only relentless pressure from Congress and farmers’ organizations forced Modi to back out at the eleventh hour,” he said. The Congress alleges Modi’s current pro-farmer posturing is a reaction to Trump’s tariff hike, which threatens India’s $84.2 billion trade surplus with the US, particularly in agriculture and dairy.
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The US has been pushing for greater market access for products like corn, soybeans, apples, almonds, and ethanol, alongside demands to lower India’s 70-100% tariffs on dairy. India’s resistance stems from fears that such concessions would cripple its 80 million small-scale farmers and dairy producers, who rely on protective tariffs to compete. Agricultural economist Devinder Sharma noted, “Opening our markets to US agribusiness would collapse rural economies, especially in states like Punjab and Haryana.” India’s counter-offer includes tariff concessions on IT services and pharmaceuticals, but talks remain deadlocked.
Farmers’ groups, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, have seized the moment to renew their push for MSP legislation and loan waivers, citing rising input costs and stagnant incomes. “Modi’s words mean nothing without action,” said farmer leader Rakesh Tikait. Meanwhile, the BJP hit back, accusing Congress of politicizing a national issue. Union Minister Anurag Thakur defended PM Modi, stating, “The PM has always prioritized farmers, from PM-KISAN to irrigation schemes, unlike Congress’s empty promises.”
As trade tensions with the US intensify, PM Modi faces a delicate balancing act: protecting farmers while navigating diplomatic fallout. Congress, however, remains unconvinced, with Ramesh declaring, “Bruised by Trump’s onslaught, PM Modi’s farmer-friendly mask fools no one.”
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