Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of spreading “lies” and misleading farmers over India’s trade agreements with the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union, asserting that the government has fully protected the nation’s agriculture and dairy sectors.
Addressing a gathering in Gandhinagar following the launch of India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System, Shah termed Opposition allegations over trade deals as “laughable”.
“I feel like laughing when Congress’s Shahzada Rahul Gandhi stands in Parliament and talks about protecting farmers. The Congress has a long history of misleading the country and now they are spreading lies about trade deals,” Shah said.
The minister emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government have ensured the complete protection of farmers’ interests in all trade agreements.
“I want to assure the farmers, cattle-rearers and fishermen of this country that in every trade deal signed with the European Union, England and America, Narendra Modi has safeguarded your interests completely. There is no need to worry,” Shah stated.
Also read: Rahul meets major farmer unions to discuss India-US trade deal
Shah directly challenged claims that the agreements would harm India’s dairy sector. “Rahul Gandhi is spreading a lie that PM Modi has finished India’s dairy sector by signing these deals. We are the people who expanded the dairy sector, not weakened it. In all the agreements, full protection has been given to dairy,” he said.
He invited Gandhi to publicly debate the matter, asserting that the Congress leader could choose any platform. “Rahul Gandhi ji, decide any platform. Even the president of the BJP Yuva Morcha can come and debate with you on who has harmed farmers and who has worked for their welfare,” Shah added.
The remarks come after recent trade developments. Following a phone conversation between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump, both countries announced a reduction of US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from 50 per cent.
In addition, India and the European Union concluded negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) last month. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the pact would enhance two-way commerce and strengthen economic ties between India and the EU.
Shah’s intervention comes amid heightened political debate over the interim India-US trade deal, which Rahul Gandhi has criticised for allegedly jeopardising domestic agricultural interests. Shah maintained that such claims are unfounded, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting farmers and the broader rural economy.
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