Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has strongly defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to protect the interests of Indian farmers in the face of rising US tariffs and international trade pressure. Speaking in New Delhi, Shivraj Singh Chouhan declared that India will “not compromise” on agricultural interests, vowing to seek new markets and utilise the country’s massive domestic demand as a strength. He also praised the government’s bold move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, reiterating India’s firm stance on national security and resource sovereignty.
‘No Compromise on Farmers’ Interests’ Amid US Tariff Pressure
Addressing an event at Subrahmanyam Hall in New Delhi, Shivraj Singh Chouhan commended PM Modi for his unwavering stand in trade talks with the United States. In recent weeks, Washington has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on certain Indian goods, escalating from a 25 per cent rate introduced just a month earlier following India’s import of Russian oil. The heightened trade tension has reportedly included US pressure to expand access to Indian agriculture and dairy markets — a demand Shivraj Singh Chouhan said was unrealistic and unfair.
Drawing a sharp comparison between the agricultural sectors of the two countries, Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the vast differences in farm sizes, production methods, and costs. “In the US, they hold 10,000 to 15,000 hectares of land, while most of our farmers have between one and three acres, with many owning just half an acre,” he noted. He stressed that American farmers often use genetically modified (GM) seeds, which result in higher yields and lower per-hectare costs, whereas Indian production costs are significantly higher.
Allowing unrestricted imports from the US, Shivraj Singh Chouhan warned, would have driven domestic crop prices down and left Indian farmers in distress. “Where would our farmers go?” he asked, underscoring that the government’s decision to resist such concessions was essential to safeguarding rural livelihoods.
The Agriculture Minister invoked PM Modi’s recent remarks that “no matter how much personal loss I incur, the interests of farmers will not be compromised,” describing them as the “voice of India” and “voice of farmers.” Shivraj Singh Chouhan reassured the farming community that even in challenging circumstances, India would adapt by diversifying its export markets and relying on its vast domestic consumer base.
He pointed out that India’s population — at 1.44 billion — far exceeds that of the entire European Union (500 million) or the United States (300 million), making it a formidable market for its own agricultural products. “Our population is not a weakness; it is our strength,” Shivraj Singh Chouhan declared.
Indus Waters Treaty Suspension and National Security Stand
Shivraj Singh Chouhan also touched upon recent geopolitical tensions with Pakistan, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and statements by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir. He reaffirmed the government’s decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, framing it as a matter of national sovereignty and farmers’ rights.
“India will not be afraid of any threat,” Shivraj Singh Chouhan said. “The whole world should know that the Indus Treaty has been cancelled, and our water will be used for our farmers.” He criticised the original 1960 agreement, signed during Jawaharlal Nehru’s tenure, which allocated the majority of Indus River waters to Pakistan. According to Shivraj Singh Chouhan, this arrangement not only deprived Indian farmers but also involved India funding canal construction in Pakistan — a move he called a “historic mistake.”
He endorsed PM Modi’s stance that “blood and water cannot flow together,” signalling a hard line against Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism. The suspension of the treaty, he said, was both a strategic and moral decision, ensuring that India’s water resources serve its own agricultural and developmental needs.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan also announced upcoming legislative measures aimed at protecting farmers from fraudulent practices, particularly the production and sale of fake fertilisers and chemicals. The new law, he stated, would impose strict penalties on offenders, reflecting the government’s broader commitment to agricultural integrity and farmer welfare.
In addition to trade and security issues, the Union Minister outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector through targeted welfare schemes. He highlighted recent digital payments made under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which were disbursed from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, directly into farmers’ accounts. He stressed that such measures, along with increased resource allocation to agriculture, formed part of the government’s long-term strategy to enhance rural resilience and prosperity.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan closed his remarks by praising PM Modi’s “Nation First” philosophy, crediting the Prime Minister with consistently taking “strong, bold, nation-centric decisions” that have strengthened India’s position both domestically and globally. “The country will forever remain indebted,” he said, “for leadership that never bows under pressure and always prioritises the welfare of its people.”
