By Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday mounted a vigorous defence of the Centre’s recent free trade agreements (FTAs), asserting that the interests of India’s farmers, fishermen and livestock rearers remain “fully protected” under the new trade frameworks. In the same breath, he launched a sharp political attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of deliberately misleading rural communities with what he described as “repeated falsehoods.”
Addressing a large public gathering, Shah framed the debate over trade policy as a battle between “facts and fear-mongering.” He alleged that Gandhi was attempting to create anxiety among farmers and fishing communities by suggesting that the trade deals would open the floodgates to foreign competition at their expense. “There is a pattern of spreading confusion and repeating it loudly,” Shah said, arguing that the opposition’s narrative was disconnected from the actual provisions of the agreements.
The Home Minister emphasised that the FTAs negotiated with the United Kingdom and the European Union, as well as the Indo-US trade pact, were designed with what he termed “100 per cent safeguards” for sensitive sectors. According to him, agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry were carefully ring-fenced during negotiations to prevent adverse impacts on domestic producers. He maintained that tariff protections and phased market access commitments were structured to ensure that Indian stakeholders would not face sudden or unfair competition.
Shah urged critics to examine the fine print of the agreements rather than rely on political rhetoric. He contended that far from harming farmers, expanded trade partnerships would create new export opportunities for agricultural and marine products. “Our fishermen will benefit from better access to international markets. Our farmers will gain from new avenues for their produce,” he said, presenting the deals as growth-oriented rather than disruptive.
Turning the spotlight on the Congress party’s record in government, Shah accused the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime led by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of compromising agricultural interests in earlier global trade negotiations. He alleged that during that period, India entered into agreements that did not sufficiently shield domestic producers. In contrast, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with ensuring that every trade discussion prioritised rural livelihoods and food security.
The Home Minister’s remarks also touched upon regional politics. Citing findings from a recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, Shah accused the former Congress-led government in Puducherry of financial irregularities, claiming that development funds had been misused during its tenure between 2016 and 2021. He said investigations were underway and contrasted that period with what he described as improved governance under the current AINRC-BJP administration in the Union Territory.
With assembly elections approaching in Puducherry, Shah signalled that Prime Minister Modi would soon visit the region to inaugurate development projects and outline future initiatives. He appealed to voters to return the incumbent alliance to power, framing the choice as one between continuity of development and a return to what he characterised as past mismanagement.
Looking beyond regional polls, Shah expressed confidence that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would secure another mandate at the Centre in 2029. He presented the government’s trade strategy as part of a broader vision to position India as a strong global economic player without compromising domestic interests.
As the political sparring over trade agreements intensifies, the government appears determined to project its deals as protective and forward-looking, while the opposition continues to question their long-term implications. The debate is likely to remain central as rural constituencies weigh the promises and apprehensions surrounding India’s expanding global trade footprint.
