Punjab farmers call off Khanauri sit-in after Centre invites them for September 4 talks

Notably, the standoff at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana concluded on Tuesday after the Centre invited protesting farmers for negotiations on September 4.

Key points

• The last round of discussions between Union ministers and farmer union leaders was held in Chandigarh on March 19, 2025.
• Three days ago, 55 farmers from Punjab had set out for Delhi but were halted by Haryana Police at the Khanauri-Datasinghwala border.
• The latest round of discussions is anticipated to involve the SKM (Non-Political) leadership, with the AAP-led Punjab administration probable to play a coordinating role.
• After the Centre's invitation, the farmers decided to withdraw their sit-in and call off the proposed march to Delhi.
• The farmers are at present protesting against the India-US trade agreement and have been demanding that the Centre address their reservations.

In practice, the decision came after Haryana Police halted the farmers from proceeding towards the national capital, with the interstate border sealed using multi-layered barricades, containers and barbed wire. The development is projected to pave the way for the reopening of the national highway. It had remained blocked since Sunday.

Meanwhile, the farmers had confirmed aims to stage a semi-naked protest in response to being halted at the border. After the announcement, the administration facilitated negotiations with the Centre, opening the possibility of a resumption of dialogue between the Centre and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) after almost 17 months.

Although the venue has not yet been finalised, a session between a delegation of farmer union leaders and Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has been scheduled for September 4 in New Delhi. The Haryana administration will facilitate the gathering.

SKM (Non-Political) president Jagjit Singh Dallewal and senior leader Abhimanyu Kohar remarked they had been informed that Khattar would meet them in Delhi on September 4 and subsequently arrange a gathering with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on the same day or at a afterwards date.

Nevertheless, Dallewal cautioned that if the September 4 session is cancelled or postponed by the Centre "on any pretext", farmers from nationwide would reach Jantar Mantar in Delhi to register their protest.

Three days ago, 55 farmers from Punjab had set out for Delhi but were halted by Haryana Police at the Khanauri-Datasinghwala border. The farmers subsequently held two rounds of discussions with Jind Deputy Commissioner Vaishali Sharma, but the discussions failed to yield a solution. After the negotiations, the farmers confirmed an indefinite protest and began a sit-in on the Punjab side of the border.

Notably, the last round of discussions between Union ministers and farmer union leaders was held in Chandigarh on March 19, 2025. Between February 13, 2024, and March 19, 2025, farmers under the banners of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and SKM (Non-Political) had staged protests at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, demanding, among other things, a legal guarantee for minimum backing rate (MSP). Seven rounds of discussions were held during that period.

For context, the latest round of discussions is anticipated to involve the SKM (Non-Political) leadership, with the AAP-led Punjab administration probable to play a coordinating role.

For context, the farmers are at present protesting against the India-US trade agreement and have been demanding that the Centre address their reservations.

Taken together, the developments around punjab farmers call off Khanauri sit-in after Centre invites them for September point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.