'Complete surrender': Rahul Gandhi targets Centre over India-US deal

Rahul Gandhi's Fiery Attack on India-US Trade Deal

In a blistering speech in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi targeted the Modi government over the recently inked India-US Interim Trade Agreement.

He labeled it a "complete surrender," accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of selling out India's interests to protect personal and crony connections. Gandhi pointed to sharp rises in US tariffs on Indian goods, from an average of 3% to 18%, while US tariffs on their exports to India dropped to zero.

This, he argued, would flood Indian markets with American agricultural and dairy products, threatening the livelihoods of millions of small farmers. He highlighted a clause committing India to purchase $500 billion worth of US energy and tech products, calling it a one-sided deal that compromises energy security.

Gandhi didn't stop at economic critiques; he wove in explosive allegations linking the deal to external pressures.

He referenced the Epstein files mentioning Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and ongoing US cases against Gautam Adani, suggesting the government bent under duress to shield these interests. "India's data, our most valuable strategic asset, is being handed over," he thundered, warning that the agreement erodes sovereignty in critical sectors like data localization, farming, and defense.

His rhetoric painted a picture of India negotiating from weakness, not as equals, especially in the shadow of US-China rivalry where Washington needs New Delhi to bolster the dollar's dominance.

Government's Strong Rebuttal and Defence of the Deal

The Centre wasted no time in hitting back, dismissing Gandhi's charges as "blatant lies" and a "fake narrative" designed to mislead farmers.

India-US Trade Deal has mortgaged the future of 140 crore Indians. Youths' jobs are at stake, farmers' crops are on the negotiating table, and energy security is being surrendered to foreign conditions! No Prime Minister bends like this without massive pressure. Whether from the Epstein files or the Adani Case -- Modi ji has saved his power at the cost of national interest.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal took to social media, asserting that Rahul Gandhi is a "habitual liar" with no concern for the nation. He clarified that the deal slashes tariffs on Indian exports to the US from punishing highs of up to 50% down to 18%, opening doors for billions in trade without touching sensitive agriculture or dairy sectors.

"Farmers' interests are fully protected," Goyal emphasized, noting that the agreement safeguards food security and promotes Indian exports. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended PM Modi, rejecting the sovereignty loss claims outright.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan echoed this, accusing Gandhi of consistently undermining national interests while praising Modi's farmer-friendly decisions.

The US itself added a twist by backtracking on an initial factsheet, removing pulses and some agri-products from the tariff reduction list, which the opposition seized upon as evidence of a flawed pact.

BJP leaders threatened privilege motions against Gandhi for unsubstantiated allegations in Parliament, underscoring the rules requiring prior notice for serious charges. This exchange has reignited debates on trade-offs in global deals, with the government insisting the pact boosts exports and jobs for India's youth.

Broader Implications for India's Economy and Politics

The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of evolving India-US ties, strained earlier by reciprocal tariffs under President Donald Trump over India's Russian oil purchases.

Gandhi urged Trump to "talk to us as equals," positioning India as a pivotal player whose data and markets hold leverage. Critics like him argue the deal exposes vulnerabilities in food, energy, and data independence at a time of global turbulence.

Supporters counter that it counters US protectionism, potentially lifting Indian exports from $46 billion to $146 billion annually. The political heat has deepened divisions, with public discourse reflecting strong emotions on leadership and patriotism.

As Parliament sessions intensify, this spat highlights ongoing tensions between economic diplomacy and domestic priorities, forcing voters to weigh growth promises against protectionist fears.

In summary, Rahul Gandhi's "complete surrender" salvo has sparked a fierce clash over the India-US trade deal, pitting opposition cries of betrayal against the government's assurances of protected interests and export gains. The debate underscores key stakes for farmers, sovereignty, and bilateral relations.