Punjab’s political discourse witnessed a sharp escalation on Friday after Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa issued a strong appeal to the state’s farming community to collectively oppose the proposed Indo-US trade deal, warning that it could have long-term and irreversible consequences for Indian agriculture. Bajwa’s statement has added a new layer of intensity to the ongoing national debate on free trade agreements, agrarian rights, and the future of small and marginal farmers, with Punjab once again emerging as the epicentre of resistance politics.
Addressing party workers and farmer representatives during a series of meetings in the Doaba and Malwa regions, Bajwa alleged that the proposed trade framework disproportionately favours multinational corporations and large agribusiness interests at the cost of domestic farmers. He cautioned that opening Indian agricultural markets to heavily subsidised American farm produce could destabilise local pricing mechanisms, undermine minimum support price structures, and push already debt-ridden farmers into deeper economic distress.
The Congress leader argued that Punjab, as a border state with an agrarian-driven economy, would bear the brunt of any adverse fallout from such international agreements. According to him, farmers cultivating wheat, rice, maize, and dairy producers could find themselves unable to compete with cheaper imports, leading to a gradual erosion of farm incomes and rural employment. Bajwa asserted that while international trade can offer opportunities, agreements involving sensitive sectors like agriculture must be approached with extreme caution and full transparency.
This development comes at a politically sensitive time, as Punjab prepares for an intense pre-election phase ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls. Farmers remain a decisive political force in the state, having demonstrated their collective strength during previous nationwide agitations. Bajwa’s call for unity is being viewed as an attempt to reconnect the Congress with its traditional rural support base while positioning the party as a defender of agrarian interests against what it describes as “policy decisions driven by corporate priorities.”
In his address, Bajwa criticised the Union government for allegedly failing to hold adequate consultations with farmer unions, state governments, and agricultural economists before moving ahead with negotiations. He maintained that trade agreements should not be negotiated behind closed doors, especially when they have the potential to reshape livelihoods for millions. Emphasising Punjab’s historical role in safeguarding national food security, he said the state’s farmers cannot be treated as collateral damage in global trade diplomacy.
The Congress leader also took aim at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, accusing it of maintaining a “strategic silence” on the issue to avoid friction with the Centre. Bajwa questioned why the state government had not convened an all-party meeting or a special Assembly discussion to articulate Punjab’s concerns at the national level. He argued that safeguarding farmers’ interests should transcend party lines and political calculations.
Farmer leaders present at the meetings echoed Bajwa’s apprehensions, expressing fears that an influx of foreign agricultural products could weaken domestic procurement systems. They also raised concerns about intellectual property rights related to seeds, dairy standards, and food processing norms, warning that such provisions could gradually shift control from local producers to global corporations. Several farmer representatives indicated that if their concerns are ignored, they may consider coordinated protests and statewide mobilisations.
Political analysts note that the Indo-US trade debate has the potential to become a major electoral issue in Punjab, similar to the farm law protests that reshaped the state’s political landscape in recent years. The Congress appears keen to capitalise on lingering mistrust among farmers towards large-scale reforms perceived as market-driven rather than welfare-oriented. Bajwa’s aggressive posture is also being interpreted as a message to both the Centre and rival parties that agrarian issues remain non-negotiable in Punjab’s political narrative.
At the national level, the Union government has consistently defended trade negotiations as essential for boosting exports, attracting investment, and integrating India into global supply chains. However, critics argue that agriculture requires special protection due to its socio-economic sensitivity. Bajwa reiterated that Punjab does not oppose trade or international cooperation but insists that any agreement must ensure guaranteed price protection, safeguard domestic markets, and provide legal assurances to farmers.
As debates over the Indo-US trade deal intensify, Punjab is once again positioned at the crossroads of national policy and grassroots resistance. Bajwa’s appeal signals that agrarian politics will remain a defining force in the state, influencing alliances, electoral strategies, and public sentiment in the months ahead. Whether the Centre chooses to address these concerns through dialogue or proceeds with its trade agenda will significantly shape the political climate not only in Punjab but across India’s farming heartland.
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