Himachal CM Sukhu on Jammu and Kashmir visit today; meeting with CM Omar Abdullah

February 19, 2026

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is traveling to Srinagar today. There, he will discuss the issue of reducing import duty on apples with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The central government has signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand, the European Union, and now the United States.

Import duty on apples reduced 

The central government has reduced the import duty on apples from the United States and New Zealand from 50 percent to 25 percent, while for European countries, it has been reduced to 20 percent. Following this decision, there is a possibility of an increase in the influx of foreign apples into Indian markets. This could deepen the crisis for the apple industry in Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.

The apple business in Himachal is worth over ₹55 billion (5500 crore rupees), and the livelihoods of over 250,000 families depend on it. Jammu and Kashmir produces more apples than Himachal. Consequently, the FTA has increased the concerns of domestic apple growers. Last month, Himachal orchardists even gheraoed the Secretariat in Shimla.

Discussion on RDG and Special Grants

Himachal Pradesh intends to raise this issue with the central government, along with Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, Chief Minister Sukhu will discuss with Omar Abdullah the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) and the granting of special grants to hill states. Following the meeting, Chief Minister Sukhu will also meet with Congress leaders from Jammu and Kashmir and return to Delhi late in the evening.