logo
India will protect farmers' interest in US trade talks: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

India will protect farmers' interest in US trade talks: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

The Print4 days ago

He was responding to a query on how India would safeguard farmers amid US pressure for greater market access for American agricultural and horticultural products.
'Our priority is to protect the interest of our farmers. India will not work closing its eyes. We will assess our gains and losses. Keeping that in mind, an agreement will be finalised,' Chouhan told PTI in an interview.
New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) India will prioritise protecting its farmers' interests while assessing potential gains and losses in the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States over agricultural market access, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.
The negotiators are expected to agree on the framework for the broad contours of the first phase of the bilateral deal, expected to be signed by fall (September-October) 2025.
'The discussions are ongoing between India and the US. One thing is clear, we will protect the interest of our farmers. When we talk about two nations, we need to see the overall trade,' the minister added.
According to a NITI Aayog report, 'Promoting India-US Agricultural Trade under the new US Trade Regime', the value for US agriculture and allied product exports to India was about USD 2.22 billion in the triennium ending 2024.
In the same period, India exported USD 5.75 billion worth of agricultural products to the US.
India's main agricultural exports to the US include frozen shrimp, basmati rice, spices, processed cereals, and other value-added products.
The US wants to export more agricultural products such as corn, soybeans, and animal feed, but faces high Indian tariffs — especially in agriculture, where average tariffs can reach up to 39-50 per cent.
The minister's comments come as India and the US continue negotiations on expanding agricultural trade, with Washington seeking reduced tariffs and improved market access for its farm products in the Indian market.
India is cautious about fully opening its agriculture and dairy markets due to concerns about potential backlash from rural communities and the need to protect domestic producers from global price volatility. PTI LUX TRB TRB
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India Says Reset with Canada on Agenda, Carney Says Nijjar Probe Raised with Modi
India Says Reset with Canada on Agenda, Carney Says Nijjar Probe Raised with Modi

The Wire

time31 minutes ago

  • The Wire

India Says Reset with Canada on Agenda, Carney Says Nijjar Probe Raised with Modi

Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Top Stories India Says Reset with Canada on Agenda, Carney Says Nijjar Probe Raised with Modi The Wire Staff 39 minutes ago Meanwhile, Carney is still facing questions about his invitation to Modi to attend the G7 summit. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressing the press. Photo: Screenshot from MEA livestream. Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: Ahead of the G7 summit, India said on Thursday (June 12) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, would discuss a reset in ties grounded in mutual 'sensitivity', even as Carney confirmed raising with Modi the ongoing probes into alleged Indian involvement in criminal plots on Canadian soil. Last week, Carney spoke with Modi and extended an invitation for the forthcoming G7 summit in Kananaskis in western Canada. Modi accepted the invitation, which came just over a week before the summit begins on June 15. It was a dramatic turnaround in relations that had been frozen for 20 months since former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indians agents were involved in killing Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police accused Indian agents of targeting Canadian nationals. During the weekly briefing on Thursday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the forthcoming bilateral meeting between Modi and Carney would 'explore pathways to reset the relationship based on mutual respect, shared interests and sensitivity to each other's concerns'. He added that India's views 'on some of these issues have already been shared publicly in considerable detail'. In contrast to Modi's announcement that only spoke about working together with 'renewed vigour', Carney had to immediately defend his invitation before the media. 'We have now agreed, importantly, to continued law enforcement dialogue. So there's been some progress on that, which recognises issues of accountability. I extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi in that context, and he has accepted,' he said last Friday in Ottawa. When asked about Carney's mention of a dialogue between security agencies, the Indian foreign ministry spokesperson stated, 'There are existing mechanisms between Indian and Canadian law enforcement agencies that have discussed issues of mutual security concern over a period of time. This engagement is likely to continue.' India had previously claimed on several occasions that Canada had 'created an environment for illegal migration and organised criminal activities'. When asked whether India would raise this again, Jaiswal first listed points of commonality with Canada. 'I also [said] that we are two democracies. We are bound by the rule of law. We have an expansive economic engagement. We have large people-to-people connections. We have a big student community there. We have companies invested in both sides. We have technology collaboration, so there's a lot more, lots that can be discussed and for both countries to gain from each other's engagement,' said Jaiswal. Then, he said that on 'anti-India activities, whether it is Canada or anywhere else', India 'expect[s] our international partners to take into account our concerns and act accordingly'. Meanwhile, Carney is still facing questions about the invitation. In an interview to Radio Canada, he was asked whether he spoke to the Indian PM about the ongoing police probes, including the Nijjar case. 'Yes, I have,' he said, as reported by CBC News. The Canadian leader added that the legal case will continue and 'India knows that'. He added that Canada had made progress with India bilaterally and that 'they are OK with having a legal process between law enforcement entities'. Carney reiterated that Canada wants to discuss energy security, critical minerals and artificial intelligence with world leaders, and it's 'hard to have those discussions without India'. Ruling Liberal party lawmaker Sukh Dhaliwal, who represents the constituency where Nijjar was killed, had been critical of the invitation. As per Canadian media, he had a meeting with Carney on Wednesday to express his constituents' concerns. Dhaliwal said Carney is 'very strong' and would represent concerns about Indian interference and transnational crime when speaking to Modi. 'I'm saying it's not a good idea, but now he's invited. We have to move forward,' he said. Canada has listed countering ' foreign interference and transnational crime ' as a key priority for the upcoming G7 summit. Besides India, the other non-G7 invitees to the summit are the leaders of Ukraine, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Ahead of G7 Summit, Canada Lists 'Foreign Interference and Transnational Crime' as Key Priority Marking Turnaround in Ties, Modi Accepts Late Canadian Invitation to Attend G7 Summit Next Week Canada Placed Law Enforcement Conditions Before Modi for G7 Summit Invite: Report Nijjar & After: Facing Flak, Canadian PM says Progress in 'Accountability' Paved Way for Modi G7 Invite As the G7 Clock Ticks, Silence over India's Invite and What it Means India's Disastrous Isolation Around the World As India and Canada's Foreign Ministers Speak Over Phone, Signs of a Further Thaw in Ties Has Trump 2.0 Deprioritised India? The Evidence is Clear. Whose Growth Is it, Anyway? Understanding India's Infrastructure Push View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.

Might go up: Trump signals hike in auto tariffs for more US production
Might go up: Trump signals hike in auto tariffs for more US production

India Today

time36 minutes ago

  • India Today

Might go up: Trump signals hike in auto tariffs for more US production

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday warned he may soon hike auto tariffs, arguing that could prod carmakers to speed U.S. investments."I might go up with that tariff in the not-too-distant future," Trump said at a White House event. "The higher you go, the more likely it is they will build a plant here."Automakers have been pressing the White House to reduce the 25% tariffs Trump imposed on autos. The Detroit Three automakers have criticised a deal that would cut tariffs on British car imports but not on Canadian or Mexican Trump cited a series of recent investment announcements, including GM saying this week that it plans to invest $4 billion in three U.S. plants and move some SUV production from Mexico. He also noted a $21 billion Hyundai investment announced in March including a new U.S. steel plant."They wouldn't have invested 10 cents if we didn't have tariffs, including for manufacturing American steel, which is doing great," Trump said last month that cars assembled in Mexico and exported to the U.S. will face an average tariff of 15%, not 25% because Washington is giving automakers reductions for the value of U.S. are facing increasing cost pressures stemming from tariffs. In recent weeks, Ford Motor F.N and Subaru of America 7270.T have hiked prices on some models due to higher costs from Trump's tariffs. In May, Ford estimated tariffs would cost it about $1.5 billion in adjusted said last month it had a current tariff exposure of between $4 billion and $5 billion, including about $2 billion on the more affordable vehicles GM imports from South Korea, where it makes entry-level Chevrolet and Buick InMust Watch

Trump says Iran must give up nuclear weapon ambitions, urges diplomatic resolution
Trump says Iran must give up nuclear weapon ambitions, urges diplomatic resolution

India Today

time36 minutes ago

  • India Today

Trump says Iran must give up nuclear weapon ambitions, urges diplomatic resolution

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said his administration is committed to resolving the Iran nuclear issue through diplomacy, but warned that Tehran must completely abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons."We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform."My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon," he further PLANS NEW NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT SITEThis comes after Iran announced on Friday that it has built and will activate a third nuclear enrichment facility, escalating tensions with the United States over the stalled nuclear deal. The move further alarmed Western governments already concerned by the scale of Iran's uranium enrichment, which far exceeds levels required for civilian purposes. A sixth round of US-Iran talks is set to begin Sunday in Oman. Trump warned that if diplomacy fails, military action by either the United States or Israel remains on the table. 'I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen,' he said. 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.'Earlier this week, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly claimed to have evidence that Iran's nuclear program is being used to develop weapons, intensifying Washington's to the international pressure, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday formally censured Iran for the first time in 20 years, citing non-compliance with nuclear enrichment regulations. In response, Iran's Foreign Ministry and Atomic Energy Organisation issued a joint statement, warning: 'The Islamic Republic of Iran has no choice but to respond to this political resolution.'Despite the rising stakes, Trump emphasized the importance of continuing negotiations: 'As long as I think there is a (chance for an) agreement, I don't want them going in because I think it would blow it.'Tune InMust Watch

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store