Image Source: Counterview.in

Ahead of the anticipated Indo-US trade agreement, the Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA-Kisan Swaraj) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reject any proposals allowing genetically modified (GM) crops or U.S. dairy imports into India. The coalition—comprising farmers’ groups, scientists, consumer advocates, and environmentalists—warned that such moves would irreparably harm India’s agricultural foundations, food sovereignty, and rural livelihoods.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, ASHA-Kisan Swaraj emphasized that any concessions on GM crop imports or dairy products would undermine India’s biosafety, threaten public health, and expose domestic producers to unfair competition. The letter, signed by national coordinators Kavitha Kuruganti and Ananthasayanan, stressed the importance of protecting India’s seed sovereignty and regulatory autonomy.

The group pointed out that Indian law—under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006—prohibits the sale or import of unapproved GM foods. They argued that permitting genetically modified corn, soy, or other commodities through trade channels would be in direct violation of these legal frameworks and contrary to Supreme Court directives. According to ASHA, such imports could open the door to seed contamination, patent-related lawsuits, and greater corporate control over Indian farming systems.

The coalition also raised serious objections to the potential entry of U.S. dairy products, many of which are derived from cows treated with recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH)—a substance linked with cancer and banned in India. The group warned that industrial-scale U.S. dairy imports would severely impact the livelihoods of over 100 million rural households engaged in India’s dairy sector, while also posing significant public health concerns.

ASHA-Kisan Swaraj also flagged the possible fallout for domestic apple growers in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir. Lower tariffs on U.S. apple imports could lead to a flood of foreign produce, with estimates suggesting import volumes could cross six lakh metric tonnes this year—potentially devastating India’s apple-growing communities.

The coalition criticized the lack of transparency and public consultation in ongoing trade discussions, calling it a dangerous precedent where corporate and foreign interests are allowed to influence national agricultural policy without democratic oversight. The group reiterated that trade decisions must not be allowed to bypass the voices of farmers, scientists, and consumers.

Echoing a firm stance, the letter concluded with a warning: “India must not barter away its food security, ecological security, rural livelihoods and people’s health for short-term trade concessions.” The coalition called on the government to uphold India’s legal safeguards, ensure democratic accountability in trade negotiations, and preserve the country’s food and farming sovereignty for future generations.