Rahul Gandhi shreds India-US trade deal in Lok Sabha, accuses Modi govt of 'selling out Bharat Mata'

Rahul Gandhi

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday targeted the government in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session, launching a sharp attack over the India-US trade agreement and its wider economic and strategic implications.

Taking aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader accused the government of compromising national interests. "You have sold India, our Bharat Mata - are you not ashamed?" he said in the House, alleging that the trade pact has hurt key domestic sectors.

Tariffs and trade concerns

Gandhi questioned the benefits of the agreement, claiming that US tariffs on certain goods had risen from 3% to 18%, which he described as a sixfold increase. He also flagged the absence of provisions on data localisation in the pact, suggesting that India had failed to secure adequate safeguards over its digital ecosystem.

Energy security and strategic autonomy

Raising concerns over energy dependence, Gandhi argued that the agreement could undermine India's autonomy in sourcing crude oil. He alleged that financial and energy systems were being "weaponised" and claimed the deal would allow the US to influence India's oil procurement decisions.

Impact on farmers and industry

Linking the agreement to domestic challenges, Gandhi said the trade terms could adversely affect farmers by opening markets in a way that puts rural livelihoods under pressure. He also remarked that India should not accept parity with Pakistan in any trade arrangement.

Separately, he claimed that the country's textile industry had suffered significant setbacks.

Artificial intelligence and data infrastructure

Turning to technology, Gandhi cautioned that rapid advances in artificial intelligence could disrupt India's IT sector. He stressed the importance of strengthening data infrastructure, calling population India's greatest asset if supported by robust digital systems.

He concluded by asserting that safeguarding data, food and energy resources would be essential for India's long-term growth and stability.