Indian unions and farmers staged a nationwide strike to protest the interim trade deal with the United States
New Delhi — A coalition of major trade unions and farmer groups in India began a nationwide strike on Thursday to protest the interim decision Business deal With the United States, saying the agreement undermines the interests of farmers, small businesses and workers.
In Parliament, representatives from Opposition political parties She demanded that the government cancel the trade deal and criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the slogan “Narendra Modi, Modi surrender.”
The one-day strike partially disrupted public services and manufacturing activities, underscoring resistance to the reform agenda set by Modi, leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, and underscoring the political risks of pushing market-oriented policies ahead of key state elections later this year.
A union leader said that the trade agreement with Washington opens the Indian market to subsidized agricultural products, threatening the livelihoods of millions of small farmers.
“Cheap American agricultural products will be eliminated in India, making it difficult for our farmers and small businesses to compete,” said Amarjeet Kaur, general secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress, a prominent union participating in the strike.
The government in New Delhi defended the interim trade agreement as a step toward expanding exports, attracting investments and strengthening strategic relations with the United States. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently said that the interests of farmers in the agriculture and dairy sectors are protected.
India and the United States announced this month that they were close to reaching a formal trade agreement, and issued a statement Temporary frame This would reduce customs duties and deepen economic relations.
A fact sheet issued by the White House shows that the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods will be reduced from 25% to 18%, while an additional 25% punitive tariff on India’s purchase of Russian oil will be dropped.
In return, India will stop buying Russian oil and buy $500 billion worth of American goods, including energy, while reducing taxes and non-tariff barriers.
Protesters in India have also opposed Modi’s efforts to achieve this Privatization State-run companies implement new Work codesHe called the sweeping changes a “deceptive fraud” against workers.
Indian officials say labor reforms are necessary to boost efficiency and create jobs in the long term.
