India’s U.S. trade deal stalls over “non-veg milk” — dairy from cows fed animal-based feed. Learn why PM Modi calls it a red line, the cultural and re
What I Think - Bharat is deeply resistant to opening its dairy market to American imports due to U.S. practices where dairy cows are often fed feed containing animal-derived components—such as meat meal, blood meal, tallow, and even poultry litter, feathers, or offal. In Bharat (India), where a large portion of the population is vegetarian and dairy plays a critical role in religious ritual, the idea of milk from cows fed these animal-based feeds is culturally and religiously unacceptable.
What Is Non-Veg Milk?
In the United States, dairy cows are often fed animal-derived feed—such as meat meal, blood meal, tallow, poultry litter, and even offal. While this may be standard practice in American agriculture, in Bharat (India), where milk is sacred and widely used in religious rituals, such feed practices render the milk culturally and religiously unacceptable.
This kind of milk is referred to in Bharat (India) as “non-veg milk”—a term that evokes deep discomfort among vegetarians and religious communities. For millions of Indians, milk is not just nutrition; it’s prasad, purity, and faith.
Why is it A “Non-Negotiable Red Line”? -
New Delhi has made it clear that this is a non-negotiable red line in trade negotiations. Bharat (India) is demanding strict certifications that any imported dairy products must come from cows that have never been fed meat-based feed.
The US Perspective -
On the other side, Washington considers India’s certification demands to be unnecessary trade barriers. The U.S. has publicly raised these concerns at the WTO, arguing that India’s revised dairy certification (introduced in November 2024) doesn’t explicitly require such restrictions.
Modi is standing for Indian farmers and people -
As you know, where many political parties hid behind the farmers and pushed their agendas, and called Prime Minister Modi anti-farmer, today the people and farmers of the country are seeing and understanding how Prime Minister Modi has taken such a big risk for the people and farmers of the country. And this risk is right too.
What do I think?
As a common man, in my view, Prime Minister Modi has done the right thing. In Bharat (India), cow's milk is used in every puja. The presence of such milk there, which is produced in an inappropriate way according to Indians, will hurt their faith tremendously.
Historical Echoes - (Mangal Pandey & Cultural Rebellion) -
I think the USA is forgetting Indian Historical Echoes, because of the faith that the country got independence from the British, when a Brahmin Mangal Singh Pandey refused to chew the cartridges made of cow and pig fat, which gave birth to a huge rebellion.
If milk, which can be non-veg, can also give rise to such rebellion once again, that is why Prime Minister Modi has completely called it a red line in the trade deal between the USA and Bharat (India).
Why This Matters to All Indians -
Here, it is not just a question of faith for Hindus, but there could be opposition from Jains, Hindus, Muslims, and other religions as well. Muslims will also protest because they also oppose any product made of pig.
So I think this decision of Prime Minister Modi is completely correct according to the sentiments of the people of the country. The USA should also understand the feelings of the people of Bharat (India); you cannot impose anything on anyone against their feelings, this is injustice, and it is a violation of every kind of human rights.
That's why Prime Minister Modi’s declaration that he is ready to “pay a very heavy price” reflects the gravity of this issue. It’s not just economics—it’s ethics, emotion, and existence, and India Refuses U.S. Dairy Imports in Trade Deal
Also read - What I think about Trump's tariffs on India reveals America's double standards
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