https://sputniknews.in/20250310/india-must-prioritise-interests-of-farmers-in-us-trade-talks-rss-ally-8849161.html
India Must Prioritise Interests of Farmers in US Trade Talks: RSS Ally
India Must Prioritise Interests of Farmers in US Trade Talks: RSS Ally
Sputnik India
RSS-backed Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) told Sputnik India that it fully backed Prime Minister Modi's government in ongoing trade talks with the US, while rejecting criticism that India had buckled under US pressure.
2025-03-10T16:01+0530
2025-03-10T16:01+0530
2025-03-10T18:39+0530
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An influential Indian economic advocacy group Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) said that the government must priortise the interests of Indian farmers and micro, medium and small enterprises (MSMEs) in the ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations with the United States (US) in view of threats of reciprocal tariff from President Donald Trump.The SJM is backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Mahajan emphasised the need for continuity in trade policy, noting that India had withdrawn from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2019 due to concerns raised by the dairy industry and farmers.He also called for building on the success of Atmanirbhar Bharat policy. At the same time, SJM called on the Indian consumer to buy and promote Indian products, be it farm produce or pharmaceuticals or other industrial products for that matter.Further, he rejected criticism of the government by the main opposition Congress Party, which has accused India of buckling under "pressure" from US President Donald Trump on the issue of tariffs.Further, the Indian activist noted that Trump was going back on commitments made by his predecessors as far as free trade is concerned. Mahajan stated that America's backing of "free trade and a rule-based global trading system" was responsible for rising unemployment and a trade deficit to the tune of $918.4 billion last fiscal.The RSS ally recalled that the US and other developed nations had previuously supported higher import tariffs as a bargaining chip with the developing nations duering General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and signing agreements on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs), agriculture and services. The SJM added that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime had also greatly benefited the developed nations, paving the way of a strong patent and IPRs (Intellectual Property Rights) regime, as well as opening the Global South to investments from multinational companies (MNCs).Mahajan said that the SJM has been against "unequal WTO agreements" all along as they adversely impacted Indian farmers, industry and the consumer.Talking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump disclosed that India had "agreed" to slash tariffs on American imports.“They have agreed. By the way, they want to cut their tariffs way down now because somebody’s finally exposing them for what they have done," the US President commented, while reiterating his criticism of India for charging high duties on American imports.Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held talks with his US counterparts on a "mutually-beneficial" and a "multi-sector" bilateral trade agreement during an outgoing visit on 4-6 March.On Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri refused to comment Trump's statement.The US was India's biggest trading partner in 2024, with two-way trade standing at over $129 billion, according to the US Trade Representative (USTR). The trade balance has been in India's favour, with the deficit amounting to over $46 billion last year.According to Indian ratings agency CRISIS, Indian exports of gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, readymade garments (RMGs), smartphones and solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to the US were at maximum risk due to Trump's proposed reciprocal tariffs, which would kick in on 2 April.However, Trump has also vowed to expand the access of American agricultural exports to different geographies, including India.
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India Must Prioritise Interests of Farmers in US Trade Talks: RSS Ally
16:01 10.03.2025 (Updated: 18:39 10.03.2025) The RSS's economic wing, Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), told Sputnik India it fully supports PM Modi's government in ongoing trade talks with the US and rejected claims that India had succumbed to US pressure.
An influential Indian economic advocacy group Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) said that the government must priortise the interests of Indian farmers and micro, medium and small enterprises (MSMEs) in the ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations with the United States (US) in view of threats of reciprocal tariff from President Donald Trump.
"We fully back the Indian government in holding bilateral trade talks with the US. We are fully confident that the government will priortise the interests of Indian farmers and small entrepreneurs in these trade negotiations," Ashwani Mahajan, the co-convenor of Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), told Sputnik India on Monday.
The SJM is backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Mahajan emphasised the need for continuity in trade policy, noting that India had withdrawn from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2019 due to concerns raised by the dairy industry and farmers.
"This policy needs to continue, so far as agriculture and small industry is concerned, especially where livelihood of farmers and workers is involved," said Mahajan, stating that the agriculture and the MSME sector were the two biggest employers in the country.
He also called for building on the
success of Atmanirbhar Bharat policy. At the same time, SJM called on the Indian consumer to buy and promote Indian products, be it farm produce or pharmaceuticals or other industrial products for that matter.
"Efforts should also be to ensure foreign currency and payment system like SWIFT should are not allowed to be used as pressure tactics," Mahajan emphasised SJM's support for India's push to promote foreign trade in Indian Rupees (INR). "The whole world is passing through a syndrome of geoeconomic fragmentation and the key to success in this scenario is the policy of 'Nation First' based on the philosophy of SJM."
Further, he rejected criticism of the government by the main opposition Congress Party, which has accused India of buckling under "pressure" from US President Donald Trump on the issue of tariffs.
"India has never and will never buckle under pressure from a foreign power. Despite the statements coming out of the US, we believe that it won't be wise to reveal details about the ongoing negotiations, which is also a strategic decision," Mahajan remarked.
Further, the Indian activist noted that Trump was going back on commitments made by his predecessors as far as free trade is concerned. Mahajan stated that America's backing of "free trade and a rule-based global trading system" was responsible for rising unemployment and a trade deficit to the tune of $918.4 billion last fiscal.
The RSS ally recalled that the US and other developed nations had previuously supported higher import tariffs as a bargaining chip with the developing nations duering General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and signing agreements on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs), agriculture and services.
The SJM added that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime had also greatly benefited the developed nations, paving the way of a strong patent and IPRs (Intellectual Property Rights) regime, as well as opening the Global South to investments from multinational companies (MNCs).
Mahajan said that the SJM has been against "unequal WTO agreements" all along as they adversely impacted Indian farmers, industry and the consumer.
"While making it very clear that SJM is not against promoting international trade, we firmly believe that multilateral trade agreements are not good for the economy, as there is no point giving Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment to all countries," the RSS ally remarked.
Talking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump disclosed that India had "agreed" to slash tariffs on American imports.
“They have agreed. By the way, they want to cut their tariffs way down now because somebody’s finally exposing them for what they have done," the US President commented, while reiterating his criticism of India for charging high duties on American imports.
Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held talks with his US counterparts on a "mutually-beneficial" and a "multi-sector" bilateral trade agreement during an outgoing visit on 4-6 March.
On Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri refused to comment Trump's statement.
"I will not get into that at this point in time because these are ongoing discussions. But I would only point you towards the fact that we have in recent times entered into bilateral trade agreements which are based on tariff liberalisation with several partners. There are ongoing discussions with several other partners on these issues now and I think the ongoing discussions should be seen in that context as well," Misri explained.
The US was India's biggest trading partner in 2024, with two-way trade standing at over $129 billion, according to the US Trade Representative (USTR). The trade balance has been in India's favour, with the deficit amounting to over $46 billion last year.
According to Indian ratings agency CRISIS, Indian exports of gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, readymade garments (RMGs), smartphones and solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to the US were at maximum risk due to Trump's proposed reciprocal tariffs, which would kick in on 2 April.
However, Trump has also vowed to expand the access of American agricultural exports to different geographies, including India.
