Agriculturalists oppose Washingtons demands for American food and dairy products be exempted from tariffs in India

Farmers groups in India have called for a boycott of certain US products over Washington's latest tariffs and demands for New Delhi to open up its agricultural market to American companies.

Trade agreement negotiations between India and the US collapsed earlier this month, and Washington initially imposed 25% tariffs on Indian imports, before adding another 25% for the South Asian country's continued purchases of Russian oil. The second set of tariffs will be implemented from August 27.

New Delhi has called the US tariffs "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable," and has vowed to protect its national interests.

"No farmer should buy Coca-Cola. It's time to start having lemonade and buffalo milk at home," a protesting farmer told RT at a tractor rally in Greater Noida, near Delhi.

"Indian agricultural produce going to the US will fall under the 50% tariff regime. Due to this hike farmers will only get half the profit, and the US will get 50% more from import tax," another farmer said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modispoke upfor the country's farmers. "For us, our farmers' welfare is supreme," he said last week. "India will never compromise on the wellbeing of its farmers, dairy sector and fishermen. And I know personally I will have to pay a heavy price for it."

For over five months, Washington and New Delhi discussed a trade deal, but differences arose when the US reportedly asked for agricultural and dairy products to be exempted from tariffs. Agriculture and dairy are "very big red lines" when it comes to trade talks with the US, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in June.

Agriculture and its associated sectors is the largest source of livelihood in India. 70% of the country's rural households depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihood, with 82% of farmers being small and marginal, according to a report by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

A US delegation is expected in India later this month for a fresh round of negotiations for a trade agreement.

(RT.com)