Rajan Kshirsagar, Ravula Venkaiah accuse Centre of negotiating trade pact in secrecy; demand agreement be placed before Parliament and state governments
New Delhi : Launching one of its strongest attacks yet on the Narendra Modi government over the proposed India-US trade agreement, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) demanded the immediate resignation of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, accusing him of “keeping farmers, Parliament and state governments in the dark” while negotiating what it described as an anti-farmer trade pact.
In a sharply worded statement, AIKS President Rajan Kshirsagar and General Secretary Ravula Venkaiah alleged that the proposed agreement compromises the interests of Indian farmers and the country’s sovereignty. The organisation also appealed to farmers across the country to participate in the nationwide protest called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on July 22, demanding that the Centre immediately halt the final India-US trade agreement, which AIKS claims is expected to be signed later this month.
‘Negotiated Behind Closed Doors’
AIKS alleged that neither farmers’ organisations, elected representatives nor state governments were consulted during the negotiations despite agriculture being a State subject under the Constitution. The organisation claimed that Parliament was not informed about commitments relating to agriculture, dairy, services and digital trade, describing the entire negotiation process as lacking transparency.
Serious Charges Against Piyush Goyal
The farmers’ body accused Piyush Goyal of making contradictory public statements regarding the negotiations. According to AIKS, the Commerce Minister had earlier maintained that Indian agriculture and dairy interests were fully protected under the agreement, while later indicating that most concessions in negotiations with the United States had already been finalised. The organisation alleged these statements were inconsistent and misleading.
‘Deal Will Flood India With US Farm Imports’
AIKS alleged that the interim framework would significantly expand imports of American agricultural commodities, including soybean oil, animal feed, grains, cotton and dairy products. The organisation further claimed that duty-free imports of heavily subsidised American farm produce would severely impact nearly 86 per cent of India’s small and marginal farmers while also opening the door for genetically modified food and seeds. It also criticised ongoing or proposed trade agreements with Britain, the European Union and New Zealand, alleging they favour multinational corporations over Indian farmers.
Cotton, Soybean Prices Already Under Pressure, Says AIKS
Citing recent market trends, AIKS claimed that cotton imports increased substantially after the Centre temporarily removed import duties between August and December 2025. According to the organisation, cotton prices subsequently fell below the government’s declared Minimum Support Price (MSP), while soybean prices also remained significantly below MSP. AIKS argued that further tariff concessions under the proposed trade agreement would deepen the price crisis for Indian farmers during the coming season.
Links Trade Deal With Foreign Policy
In one of the statement’s strongest political assertions, AIKS alleged that India’s foreign policy had increasingly come under American influence, citing issues relating to oil imports from Russia and Iran and the death of Indian sailors in the Gulf of Oman. The organisation also referred to recent remarks by RSS leader Ram Madhav, claiming they reflected what AIKS described as the government’s policy of “strategic surrender” rather than strategic autonomy.
Calls for Nationwide Farmers’ Unity
AIKS urged all farmers’ organisations to unite under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) for the nationwide protest on July 22 against the proposed India-US trade agreement and other Free Trade Agreements under negotiation. The organisation reiterated its long-standing demands for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on the Swaminathan Commission formula (C2+50%), comprehensive farm loan waivers and full public disclosure of all trade agreements before Parliament, state governments and representatives of farmers.
Reiterating its position, Rajan Kshirsagar and Ravula Venkaiah demanded the immediate resignation of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and warned that if the proposed India-US trade agreement is signed without transparency, it could trigger a nationwide farmers’ agitation.
