Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who often proclaims himself a champion of farmers, has dealt them a devastating betrayal by waiving import duty on American cotton, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal declared on Thursday. The AAP Chief said that the Modi government had extended the waiver from the earlier September 30 deadline to December 31, ensuring that American cotton—15–20% cheaper than Indian produce—would flood the market before Indian farmers bring their harvest to mandis. As a result, he warned, the textile industry will have already bought its supplies, leaving Indian farmers no choice but to sell their cotton at throwaway prices.
Arvind Kejriwal took to ‘X’ and wrote: “So the Modi government has waived the duty on American cotton until December 31. Modi ji has committed a massive betrayal of the farmers. Modi ji has completely bowed down before Trump. This is not only dangerous for farmers, industries, and employment but also an assault on the dignity of 140 crore Indians. Why is Modi ji bowing before Trump? The country wants to know what his compulsion is? The more you bow before Trump, the more he will make you bow. Give him a befitting reply at least once. Then see how he turns into a meek cat. Whichever country has bravely responded to Trump, Trump has had to bow before them.”
In a press conference, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, flanked by Delhi Unit President Saurabh Bharadwaj and Delhi Assembly LoP Atishi, stated: “Today, I want to talk about an issue of immense importance for farmers across the country. Over the past few days, Prime Minister Modi has taken decisions behind the backs of the people, in complete secrecy, that amount to a huge deception against India’s farmers. Right now, 90–95% of our farmers do not even know what has happened. When they learn about these decisions, many will see no option but to commit suicide.”
The AAP Chief explained that until now, cotton imported from the US attracted an 11% duty, making Indian cotton cheaper and ensuring its sale in domestic markets. “In recent days, under pressure from President Trump, PM Modi decided to waive import duty on cotton coming from the United States between August 19 and September 30. Then, on August 28, the central government went a step further and surrendered to Trump by extending this waiver until December 31. Until now, cotton imported from the US was subject to an 11% duty. This is nothing but a deep fraud against our farmers,” said Arvind Kejriwal.
He warned that American cotton’s import has begun, and it is ₹15–20 per kg cheaper than Indian cotton. “Where will our farmers go? How will they sell their cotton? Indian farmers planted cotton across the country in July after taking loans. Their crop will reach mandis in October. But by then, India’s textile industry would have bought cheaper American cotton, with no need for our farmers’ produce, which will then fetch throwaway prices,”said the AAP Supremo.
Recalling last year’s plight, Arvind Kejriwal noted that while the MSP was ₹7,000 per quintal, farmers were unable to sell their cotton at that rate and were forced to eventually at less than ₹6,000 by the end of the season. “This year, even that will not be available,” he cautioned. He said that across the country, lakhs and crores of farmers and their family members will be affected, with cotton farmers in Gujarat, Vidarbha, Telangana, and Punjab being the worst-hit.
“These are the very belts where farmer suicides are already the highest especially in the Vidarbha region where the farmers’ suicide rate is highest. Between January and March 2025, in just 3 months, 767 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra alone. Instead of helping these farmers, PM Modi has stabbed them in the back,” he declared.
The AAP Chief criticised PM Modi for surrendering to Trump’s bullying tactics. “The US imposed 50% tariffs on India. What should India have done? We should have raised the duty on US cotton from 11% to 50%. That is exactly what other countries did. When Trump imposed 25% tariffs on European cars, the EU retaliated with 50% tariff on US motorcycles, forcing Trump to surrender. When Trump imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 145% on China, China hit back with a 125% tariff, and Trump was forced to back down. On Canada, Trump imposed a 35% tariff; Canada retaliated with a 25% tariff, and once again Trump had to retreat.”
“Be it Mexico, Colombia, Canada, the EU or China—everywhere, governments responded to Trump’s bullying tactics with strength and Trump was forced to bend. Trump is a coward; whichever country stood firm against him, he had to bow down. But what is PM Modi’s compulsion? He has behaved like a meek cat before Trump,” asserted Arvind Kejriwal.
The AAP Supremo pointed out, stating: “Today, our country is reeling under a two-pronged blow. On one side, Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on our exports, causing them to collapse and pushing our domestic industries to the verge of shutdown. Instead of retaliating, PM Modi has lifted tariffs on American goods, allowing them to flood our markets and destroy our farmers, our industrialists, and our traders.”
He added, “If Trump has imposed a 50% tariff, we should have responded with a 100% tariff on US goods. Are we a weak nation? India is a country of 140 crore people—it is a huge market. No nation can afford to antagonise us. Every country in the world is eager to sell their goods in the Indian market. If we had shown courage, Trump would have been forced to bow before India. But PM Modi chose to bow down. This is not just an issue of employment and industry, but a matter of the honor of 140 crore people of India. PM Modi, show some courage—140 crore Indians stand with you.”
Arvind Kejriwal questioned the Prime Minister’s motives: “The whole country wants to know—why did PM Modi surrender before America? People are discussing all sorts of theories. Rumours are circulating that Adani has cases pending in the US, and he may face arrest. People are saying that PM Modi and Adani share close ties, and that PM Modi is jeopardising the entire country to protect Adani. I don’t know if that is true, but if it is, then it is a massive betrayal of our farmers, our industries, and of 140 crore Indians.”
Arvind Kejriwal demanded that the Modi government immediately withdraw the order scrapping the 11% duty on American cotton and restore it to protect Indian farmers. “On September 7, the AAP will hold a massive rally in Chotila, Surendranagar district of Gujarat—heartland of Gujarat’s cotton farmers. I appeal to all political parties and all farmers’ organisations across India to unite and raise their voices. Farmers are helpless and poor. We must all stand with them,” appealed the AAP Chief.
In conclusion, Arvind Kejriwal affirmed, “To counter Trump’s bullying tactics, India must give a fitting reply by imposing tariffs on goods coming from the United States. If America has imposed a 50% tariff on India, then PM Modi should impose a 50% tariff on America. PM Modi must show courage — but if he cannot do that, then at the very least he should save India’s cotton farmers.”
