New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a fierce attack on the Central government over the proposed India–United States trade agreement, triggering a heated confrontation between the ruling party and the Opposition during the Budget Session.
Participating in the debate on the Union Budget, the Congress leader alleged that the trade deal was not negotiated on equal terms and claimed that the government had compromised India’s national interests.
“This agreement has not been made on the basis of equality. The government should be ashamed that it has sold Bharat Mata,” Gandhi said in the Lok Sabha, sparking uproar in the House.
Farmers’ Interests ‘Crushed’, Claims Gandhi
Gandhi alleged that the trade understanding signed alongside the Budget has severely harmed the interests of Indian farmers. He claimed that the agreement had opened the door for farmers to be “crushed,” adding that no Prime Minister in the past had taken such a step, nor would any in the future.
“Our farmers are facing a storm. You have opened the way for them to be crushed,” he remarked.
‘India’s Data is Key Asset in US-China Rivalry’
Highlighting the global power struggle between the United States and China, Gandhi said that India’s data has become the most valuable strategic asset.
“In the competition between America and China, the most important thing is India’s data. If America wants to remain a superpower and protect the dollar, then India’s data is extremely important for them,” he stated.
He also rejected the narrative that population is a burden, calling India’s 1.4 billion people a major strength.
“Some say population is a disaster, but I say it is our power,” he said.
‘INDIA Alliance Would Have Negotiated as Equals’
Gandhi asserted that if the Opposition-led INDIA alliance were in power, it would have negotiated with the US from a position of equality.
He claimed that an INDIA alliance government would have told the US President that India’s people and data are the greatest assets for protecting the American dollar.
“We would have spoken as equals. We would have told the American President that you cannot talk to us as if we are your servants,” Gandhi said.
Message to Trump: ‘We Will Protect Our Farmers Too’
Referring to former US President Donald Trump, Gandhi said India should have clearly conveyed that while the US may protect its farmers, India too would protect its own.
“We would have said that you will protect your farmers, but we will also protect our farmers,” he said.
Claims Tariffs on Indian Goods Increased Sixfold
Gandhi further alleged that US tariffs on Indian products had sharply risen.
He claimed that the duty on Indian goods, which earlier stood around three percent, had now increased to 18 percent, amounting to a sixfold rise. At the same time, he alleged that tariffs on American goods in India were reduced from 16 percent to zero.
‘Will America Decide From Whom India Buys Oil?’
Raising concerns over energy security, Gandhi claimed the deal could allow the US to influence India’s oil purchase decisions.
“Now America will decide from whom we buy oil, not Prime Minister Modi,” he alleged.
‘We Must Protect Our People and Resources’
Concluding his remarks, Gandhi accused the government of surrendering India’s strategic interests and urged the country to safeguard its people, data, food supply chains, and energy systems.
“This deal has sold India, sold the mother, sold Bharat Mata. The government should be ashamed,” he said.
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