New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that the proposed Indo-US trade deal would negatively impact the union territory’s economy, particularly its horticulture and allied sectors.
Abdullah termed the deal as a “Sauda” that would harm the interests of J&K as most of the products grown in J&K have been made “ import duty-free” which is not beneficial for people here. He spoke about the deal inside the J&K assembly in Jammu, where BJP leaders opposed him vehemently.
He later repeated the same in the interaction with the reporters outside the assembly hall.
“We have tree nuts, almonds, walnuts, saffron, apples, kiwis, honey and dairy products. We don’t have any marine industry. If all these items start coming duty-free from the US, J&K will be at loss,” said Abdullah adding, “I am the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. I am talking about the interests of the people here.”
The J&K CM said that the “fine print” of the deal does not reflect the “sympathy of the GoI” with the people of J&K. “Here we are promoting horticulture across J&K. In Jammu youngsters are engaged in bee keeping and honey production and this trade deal brings all these items here duty free from the US.
How is that beneficial to J&K. How is that being sympathetic to J&K,” Abdullah asked.
Apple farmers in J&K have also criticized the proposed trade deal stating that it would adversely impact the horticulture sector here. Earlier, apple farmers have also expressed concerns over India’s decision to grant preferential market access with a reduced import duty of 25% to New Zealand apples under the free trade agreement.
The BJP legislator R S Pathania said that this was an agreement between India and US not of any particular political party stating that Abdullah has no mandate to speak on foreign affairs. "He is misleading people and selling dreams," said Pathania.
J&K CM while speaking on the J&K Assembly also stated that following the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty his government was working with the Government of India to start work on two long-pending water projects in Sopore of Kashmir and Akhnoor of Jammu.
The projects are lifting water from the Chenab river near Akhnoor for regular water supply to Jammu city, and the Tulbul Navigation Barrage near Sopore to regulate Jhelum waters in Kashmir for water supply to Sopore and adjoining areas in northern Kashmir.
“It is true that we cannot have quick fix solutions for the water supply issues and we also cannot rely on the old supply systems. We have to find solutions for the next 30 to 40 years,” said Abdullah, while responding to a question of BJP legislator Sham Lal Sharma during the ongoing budget session of the J&K assembly in Jammu.
“We are working on two things (projects) with GoI.” Abdullah informed that his government was committed to fully utilise the current abeyance of the IWT to implement major water infrastructure projects across J&K.
“As the IWT is in abeyance I hope that work on Tulbul Navigation Barrage and lifting of water from Chenab at Akhnoor would start soon. We are in touch with GoI on this,” said Abdullah.
J&K CM also stated that his earlier government between 2009-2014 had given this proposal to Asian Development Bank through Economic Reconstruction Agency but it was not accepted due to IWT. “But now that IWT is in abeyance, we hope that work starts soon.”
After the Pahalgam attack in April 2025, the IWT between India and Pakistan, was put in abeyance by New Delhi. Abdullah has since maintained that the IWT was a bad treaty for J&K.
Source Name : Economic Times