Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday lashed out at the Union Government over its decision to remove the 11% import duty on cotton, alleging that the move was taken under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump and would devastate Indian farmers.
Speaking at a press conference, Kejriwal said that the duty had earlier made Indian cotton more competitive in the domestic market. “Because of the 11% duty, cotton grown by Indian farmers was cheaper than imported cotton. Now, with the duty scrapped, U.S. cotton will be around ₹15–20 per kg cheaper. Where will our farmers go? How will they sell their crop?” he questioned.
Kejriwal alleged that the decision was made “behind the back of the farmers” and warned that most cultivators are still unaware of its impact. “Farmers have sown cotton by taking loans, and their produce will start reaching markets in October. By then, the textile industry would have already bought cheaper U.S. cotton, leaving no space for Indian cotton. This is nothing but a betrayal of our farmers,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Finance announced that the temporary duty exemption on cotton imports, initially applicable from August 19 to September 30, 2025, has now been extended till December 31, 2025 to support exporters and ensure adequate supply for the textile industry.
Industry representatives have welcomed the move as a relief to manufacturers grappling with supply uncertainties. However, Kejriwal maintained that the exemption would primarily benefit foreign suppliers at the expense of Indian farmers.
