Ashok Gulati on India-US trade deal and its implications on Indian farmers

In an exclusive interview with India Today, distinguished agricultural economist Ashok Gulati analyses the implications of a potential Indo-US trade deal on India's farming sector. Addressing concerns over US market access, Gulati states, 'These fears are exaggerated,' noting that India remains a net exporter of agriculture with a trade surplus against the US in this sector. The discussion covers the complexities of tariffs on products like almonds and walnuts, the debate over genetically modified (GM) crops such as soybean and corn, and the competitive edge of Indian shrimp exports. Gulati emphasises that while the US employs high-tech AI-driven farming, Indian farmers remain resilient and competitive. He further argues that domestic reforms are overdue, citing the continued ban on wheat exports since the 2022 Ukraine war as a hurdle. The programme explores whether this trade deal could serve as a '1991-like moment' for Indian agriculture, urging the government to carry through with domestic reform agendas to compete globally.