Kisan Sangh Questions Govt Narrative on India–US Trade Deal, Flags Farm Import Concerns

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Feb 15, 2026: Farmers’ organisation Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh (RKM) has questioned the government’s claims on the India–US trade deal, particularly on the import of agricultural products and assertions that India stands to gain over neighbours such as Bangladesh and Pakistan.

RKM cited remarks by US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, praising President Donald Trump for supporting American farmers, to allege that India has agreed to import US agricultural commodities. It said this contradicted statements by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who has described the deal as beneficial to Indian farmers.

RKM National Coordinator K.V. Biju termed Mr. Goyal’s defence of the deal as “deceptive” and questioned the government’s accountability. He alleged that the negotiations were carried out “in secrecy” and that full details were not disclosed as they could be “politically and economically damaging”.

In a statement, RKM also criticised organisations such as Swadeshi Jagran Manch and Bharatiya Kisan Sangh for what it called attempts to justify the trade deal, despite their past opposition to free trade agreements and genetically modified (GM) products.

RKM said India has historically opposed US agricultural subsidies at the World Trade Organization, and allowing the import of subsidised US farm products would amount to a “betrayal” of countries that supported India’s stand.

It also took exception to Mr. Goyal’s comment that GM effects do not remain in processed imports, calling the argument misleading. The organisation said products such as soybean oil and dried distillers’ grains are largely derived from GM crops, and permitting their import could open a “back door” to GM agriculture without transparent public debate or regulatory oversight.