Shimla, June 22 -- The Hill States Horticulture Forum has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to safeguard the interests of apple, almond, walnut and other horticultural growers from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand during the ongoing India-United States trade negotiations.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Forum Convenor Harish Chauhan expressed concern over reports suggesting that India may reduce import tariffs on several agricultural products, including apples, almonds, walnuts and processed fruits from the United States as part of a proposed bilateral trade agreement.

Chauhan said that farmers and horticulturists across the hill states were deeply worried that any reduction in tariff protection c...