Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Independence Day address on Friday, asserted that he is “standing like a wall” to safeguard the interests of India’s
farmers and fishermen against any unfriendly policies. The remarks are important as the US has been pushing for duty concessions from India in the agriculture and dairy sectors in the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), being negotiated between the two countries. "Modi is standing like a wall against any harmful policy related to the farmers, fishermen and cattle rearers of India. India will never accept any compromise regarding its farmers, its livestock rearers, its fishermen," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing the nation on the 79th Independence Day.
#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Bharat ke kisan, machuware, pashupalak se judi kisi bhi ahitkaari neeti ke aage Modi deewar banke khada hai..."
"Modi is standing like a wall in front of any policy against the interest of our farmers, fishermen, cattle… pic.twitter.com/vHdRWR1hkP— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday categorically stated that India "will not compromise" and "is ready to pay the price for the same." "For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers. I know we will have to pay a heavy price for it. Today, India is ready for the country's farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers..." PM Modi said at an event.
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The US has also imposed steep tariffs on India. Trump has ratcheted up tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, which will come into effect from August 27. At present, an additional 25 per cent tariff are there on Indian goods entering American market.
In the proposed BTA, the US is seeking reduced tariffs on products like corn, soybeans, apples, almonds and ethanol, as well as increased access for US dairy products. New Delhi is, however, strongly opposing these demands as these will have a direct bearing on farmers. India has never given any duty concessions to any of its trading partners, including Australia and Switzerland, with whom it has signed trade agreements.
India and the US have been negotiating a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) since March this year. The two sides have, so far, held five rounds of talks, and for the sixth round, a US is scheduled to visit India from August 25.
