The conversation of the trade agreement between the Indo-US is stuck on the cow’s ‘non-vegetarian’ milk. India has refused to approve the import of US dairy products. India has strictly told the US that such milk or dairy products cannot be allowed to enter India, which have been derived from cows who have been fed animal-based products like meat or blood.
There must be a certificate in this regard with these products.
Indeed, in the US, cows usually use boar, chicken, fish, even fat and blood for cheap protein. The United States has raised this condition of India in the World Trade Organization, calling it an ‘unnecessary trade barrier’.
Threat to farmers and local industry
India is the largest milk producing country in the world and its dairy sector contributes up to 3% to the economy, which is a total value of ₹ 9 lakh crore. Most of this share in small, marginal farmers. According to SBI, the country may suffer a loss of ₹ 1.03 lakh crore every year if dairy products are imported from the US. India has also cited cultural and religious sentiments associated with cow.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump gave an important statement on Tuesday that work on trade agreement between the US and India is going on, under which America will get more access to Indian markets. Trump made this comment in the context of the latest trade agreement with Indonesia. Trump said, “We have entered into an agreement with Indonesia. I met his president. He is a great leader. We have compromised in which we got complete access in Indonesia. There is a very strong sector copper (copper) and we will now get everything without any tariff.” Let us tell you that under this agreement, the US will impose only 19% tariffs on goods imported from Indonesia, which is much less than before.
What is expected from India?
Trump said that the same agreement with India is being prepared as with Indonesia. He said, “India is working in that direction itself. We want an agreement in which we get full access to the Indian markets.”