Baramati: Sharad Pawar Raises Concerns Over US Trade Deal
Sharad Pawar, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has issued a warning regarding the recent India-US trade deal. He believes that this deal could negatively impact Indian farmers by increasing imports from the US, which boasts a powerful economy.
Pawar expressed his concerns, saying, “If the US starts exporting heavily, it could disrupt our domestic agriculture and harm local farmers.” He emphasized the need for protective measures for Indian agriculture to avoid adverse effects on the sector.
Recently, US President Donald Trump announced that India and the US had reached an agreement on this trade deal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned that tariffs on “Made in India” products would decrease to 18 percent, potentially benefiting Indian manufacturers.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Modi also committed to a significant investment of $500 billion in US energy, transportation, and agricultural products. With this new deal, American exports to India could face no tariffs, representing a win for US businesses and consumers.
While Pawar welcomed some tariff reductions, he remains worried about certain provisions that allow increased US agricultural exports. He stated, “We’re waiting for clarity. The impact on farmers is what we must consider.”
In his personal life, Pawar was unable to attend the ongoing Budget session in Parliament due to a family tragedy—the loss of his nephew and fellow NCP leader Ajit Pawar. He reflected, “I have never missed a Budget session, but this time was different.”
As he reacted to the Union Budget announced earlier, Pawar noted that it appeared to avoid decisions that would burden the public. He expected more concrete measures for development but refrained from fully commenting without reviewing the details.
Recent sessions in Parliament have been tumultuous, sparked by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s statements related to national security. Pawar criticized the uproar surrounding Gandhi’s remarks, emphasizing the importance of civil discussions in Parliament.
Following Ajit Pawar’s untimely death, Sharad Pawar expressed his support for Sunetra Pawar, who has been appointed as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He voiced a desire for the family to convene and discuss plans for a memorial for Ajit Pawar, highlighting the need for a collective decision on the matter.
For further details on trade impacts, you can refer to related reports by Reuters.
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