Amit Shah Accused Rahul Gandhi of Misleading Farmers and Fishermen on FTAs

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Amit Shah on Free Trade Agreements Slams Rahul Gandhi, Backs Fishermen Gains
FTAs with the US, UK and EU will significantly benefit India’s fishermen, Shah said.
Government claims sensitive sectors like dairy and farming are fully protected.

Karaikal: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of deliberately misleading farmers and fishermen over India’s free trade agreements (FTAs).

Speaking at a public gathering in Karaikal, Shah strongly defended the trade agreements signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, asserting that these deals would bring major benefits to India’s fishing community while fully safeguarding farmers’ interests.

Amit Shah on Free Trade Agreements and Fishermen Benefits

Highlighting the economic potential of the FTAs, Shah said the agreements would open global markets for Indian marine products and strengthen livelihoods in coastal regions.

“The free trade agreements signed by PM Narendra Modi with the European Union and England, and the trade deal with the United States, are going to be of great benefit to our country’s fishermen,” Shah said.

He alleged that Rahul Gandhi was spreading false narratives to confuse the public. “Rahul Gandhi wants to mislead the country’s fishermen and farmers. He wants to spread confusion by telling lies,” the Home Minister added.

Shah Accuses Congress of Past Policy Failures

Shah urged the Rae Bareli MP to study the details of the FTAs before making public statements. Drawing a contrast with previous Congress-led governments, he said farmers had suffered under earlier global agreements.

“PM Narendra Modi has worked to provide 100 per cent protection to our farmers and livestock owners. Farmers were harmed during your Manmohan Singh government, when many global agreements were signed by selling farmers’ interests,” Shah remarked.

He also took a personal swipe at the Congress leader, accusing him of habitual misinformation. “Rahul Gandhi’s policy is to lie, speak loudly and publicly, and repeat the lie again and again. But the people of this country have now recognised your lie-manufacturing factory,” Shah said.

BJP Predicts NDA Return in 2029

Projecting confidence ahead of future elections, Shah claimed that the Opposition’s narrative would be rejected by voters. “In 2029, an NDA-led BJP government will be formed under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi; your turn will not come,” he declared.

Government Says FTAs Open 70% of Global Markets

Meanwhile, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, addressing a press conference on the Viksit Bharat Budget, said India now enjoys preferential access to nearly 70 per cent of global trade markets due to FTAs.

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Goyal noted that India has concluded nine FTAs with 38 developed countries, describing them as central to the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047. He stressed that the agreements were negotiated carefully to protect sensitive sectors such as dairy, farming and genetically modified foods.

At the same time, labour-intensive sectors like textiles, leather and electronics are gaining access to new markets, which will help businesses expand and generate employment, he added.

Opposition Continues Protest Over Trade Deal

Despite government assurances, Opposition MPs continued to protest in Parliament against the India–US interim trade agreement during the Budget session, branding it a “trap deal.” The first phase of the Budget session concluded on February 13, with trade policy remaining a major flashpoint between the government and the Opposition.

Also Read | Amit Shah Accused Rahul Gandhi of Misleading Farmers and Fishermen on FTAs