Trade expansion from $87 billion to $500 billion will devastate agriculture, warns AIKS
New Delhi: The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has strongly opposed the Narendra Modi-led BJP government’s push to expand Indo-US trade from $87 billion to $500 billion, calling it a direct attack on Indian farmers and small industries. In a press statement, AIKS accused the government of compromising national interests by allowing massive imports of U.S. agricultural products, leading to falling crop prices, financial distress among farmers, and a rise in suicides.
In a statement, Rajan Kshirsagar, President of AIKS and Ravula Venkaiah
General Secretary of AIKS also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on the inhumane deportation of Indian immigrants, as well as the landing of U.S. military aircraft on Indian soil, terming it an affront to India’s sovereignty.
AIKS highlighted that India’s agricultural imports from the U.S. have surged exponentially under Modi’s tenure. In 2014, India imported $7.67 billion worth of agricultural products from the U.S. By 2024, total agricultural imports had crossed ₹2.6 trillion, making India the 12th largest market for U.S. agricultural exports. Between 2022 and 2024, India imported $2.15 billion in agricultural commodities.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data shows that India’s key agricultural imports include Tree Nuts (Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, etc.) – Valued at $1.12 billion, growing 84% in the last decade, benefiting from reduced retaliatory tariffs in 2023. Ethanol (Non-Beverage) – Imports skyrocketed to $441.25 million, a 505% increase in 10 years, severely affecting Indian sugarcane prices. Cotton – Imports worth $210.73 million, with complete import duty waivers. Combined with duty-free Australian imports, this has crashed raw cotton prices, causing severe losses to Indian farmers. Soybean Oil & Vegetable Oils – In 2023 alone, India imported $18.4 billion worth of vegetable oils, marking a 47,578% growth in 10 years. AIKS blamed low import duties and U.S. trade policies for causing domestic soybean prices to fall below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). In Dairy Products, Imports touched $52.67 million, marking a 230% increase in a decade, mainly in whey protein and milk derivatives.
AIKS alleged that the Modi government’s Indo-US trade expansion policy is a direct contradiction to its ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) slogan. The organization argued that these unchecked agricultural imports are destroying local farming while helping U.S. agribusiness giants establish monopolies over India’s food market.
AIKS also warned that the World Bank-imposed National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM) will allow global corporations to tighten their control over India’s farm sector, worsening the economic crisis for Indian farmers.
“The Modi government’s plan to expand Indo-U.S. trade to $500 billion is paving the way for neocolonial economic exploitation,” AIKS stated.
As part of its resistance, AIKS has called for a nationwide protest on 22nd February 2025, demanding the withdrawal of the Indo-US trade agreement and an end to the exploitation of Indian farmers. “22nd February 1946 marks the day when Indian soldiers of the British Royal Navy raised the tricolour flag against British rule, striking a blow to colonialism. AIKS will commemorate this historic event by opposing the new economic colonialism imposed by global agribusiness and the Modi government,” the statement read.
AIKS’ Key Demands: Stop Agro Imports from the USA, No U.S. Military Aircraft on Indian Soil, Down with U.S. Economic Dominance, Protect Indian Farmers from Exploitation, withdraw World Bank-Imposed NPFAM Policies
AIKS has called upon farmers, democratic forces, and all patriotic citizens to oppose the growing corporate stranglehold on Indian agriculture. The organization urged all sections of society to resist the government’s pro-corporate policies and protect the livelihoods of millions of Indian farmers.
