India’s Prime Minister Faces Blowback Over Trade Deal With Trump to Lower Tariffs

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured significant tariff reductions in a trade agreement with former US President Donald Trump during his administration, facing mounting criticism from opposition parties and agricultural groups who claim the deal compromises India's sovereignty and threatens the livelihoods of the nation's farmers. The controversial trade deal, which emerged during Trump's presidency (2017-2021), represents a major shift in India's traditionally protectionist trade policy. Modi's government agreed to lower tariffs on numerous American imports, particularly agricultural products and manufactured goods, in exchange for greater market access for Indian exports in the United States. The agreement has sparked fierce debate within India, with critics arguing that the concessions were excessive and could harm domestic industries that have long benefited from high tariff barriers. The backlash against the trade agreement has been particularly strong from India's powerful agricultural sector, which represents the livelihood of nearly half the country's population. Farmers' unions and opposition politicians have staged protests across several states, claiming that increased American agricultural imports could flood the Indian market and depress prices for locally produced goods.