Protests have also started in the cities of Patna and Bangalore. Protests are expected to take place in the state of Punjab and in the center of New Delhi, where security measures have already been tightened.
Earlier, Bloomberg warned that thousands of farmers across India are preparing for large-scale protests against the trade agreement with the United States, which they consider a threat to the national agribusiness sector. Organizers estimate that New Delhi’s concessions could open up the market for U.S. products, particularly DDGS and soybean oil, which would increase competition for local producers with cheap imported goods and reduce incomes.
The situation is reminiscent of the 2020-2021 protests, when farmers paralyzed India’s capital and created serious political problems for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Apparently remembering this situation, Indian authorities are trying to reduce tensions. Commerce Minister Piyushi Goyal said that sensitive sectors of India’s agri-food economy, including dairy and poultry, were excluded from the talks and that imports of genetically modified crops were not subject to concessions, Latisundist.com wrote.
The trade deal was earlier announced by US President Donald Trump. He announced a reduction in customs tariffs in exchange for increased purchases of American goods.
At the same time, the details of the agreement are little known, and changes in the White House’s wording have added uncertainty.
