CPI(M) Politburo Raises Alarm Over Indo-US Trade Deal, Warns of Threats to India’s Economy and Sovereignty

New Delhi: The CPI(M) Politburo has expressed grave concern over the gradual release of details regarding the Indo-US trade agreement, accusing the central government of offering extensive concessions to the United States. In a statement, the Politburo warned that these concessions pose a serious threat to India’s economy, agriculture, and national sovereignty.

The limited public information available suggests that the agreement includes significant exemptions for the US, particularly in areas such as fruits, cotton, cashew nuts, soybean oil, and other food and agricultural products. The Politburo argued that this will severely impact the livelihoods of millions of Indian farmers, especially apple farmers in states like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, who are already facing severe distress due to previous trade agreements with countries like New Zealand. Cotton farmers, already reeling from an agrarian crisis and rising production costs, are also expected to suffer.

Further reports indicate that the central government has agreed to remove non-tariff barriers to US agricultural imports. This would result in the withdrawal of vital support and subsidies for Indian farmers, forcing them to compete with heavily subsidized US agricultural products. The Politburo warned that this could exacerbate the difficulties faced by Indian farmers, further undermining the agriculture sector.

The trade deal, the Politburo added, represents a blow to India’s sovereignty. The US has been imposing sanctions on India’s foreign policy, including its decision to buy oil from Russia, and has set up a mechanism to monitor compliance through an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The US has also threatened to impose tariffs if these sanctions are violated. The CPI(M) accused the BJP government of shamefully surrendering to US interests at the expense of India’s independence.

The Politburo also condemned the central government’s reliance on American defense equipment, arguing that this could undermine India’s strategic autonomy. The party reiterated its demand for full transparency, calling for the immediate release of the complete details of the trade deal before Parliament and the public. Furthermore, the CPI(M) called on the central government to refrain from entering into any agreement that sacrifices the interests of Indian workers, farmers, and the general people.