Opposition Demands Full Disclosure of Deal Terms
The Indian National Congress strongly criticised the Modi government on Tuesday after the United States announced a new trade deal. The opposition party said the government must explain the full details of the agreement. The Congress also demanded that the deal be shared with Parliament and the public. It argued that citizens have the right to know what has been agreed.
President Donald Trump announced the deal on Monday after speaking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump said India agreed to stop buying Russian oil and may instead purchase oil from Venezuela. He also said India would reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers on American goods to zero.
Farmers and Industry Express Deep Concerns
The Congress warned that lowering tariffs to zero would open the Indian market completely to American products. The party said this would seriously impact Indian industries, traders, and farmers. It questioned whether farmer interests were protected in the deal, especially if agriculture is opened to US imports.
The opposition also raised concerns about India’s energy security. It asked whether the government had officially agreed to stop buying Russian oil, and what this would mean for national needs. The Congress further questioned the future of the “Make in India” initiative if more American products enter the market.
Government Defends Deal as Growth Booster
On the other hand, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar welcomed the deal. He said it would create jobs, boost economic growth, and support innovation in both countries. He added that the agreement would strengthen manufacturing efforts and build trusted technology ties.
Prime Minister Modi also praised the tariff reduction and thanked President Trump. He said the deal would take bilateral relations to new heights. Modi’s visit to the White House in early 2025 showed strong ties, but trade negotiations had remained difficult for over a year.
Congress Calls for Parliamentary Debate
The Congress demanded that the trade agreement be placed before both Houses of Parliament for debate. The party said such major deals should be discussed openly, not announced through foreign leaders. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said India-US relations looked strong at first but weakened after the US halted a key operation in May 2025.
The Congress also criticised the government for appearing to bow to the US. It called the agreement a major setback for national sovereignty. The party demanded transparency and accountability.
Kerala Congress Calls Deal a “Colony” Move
The Kerala chapter of the Congress described the deal in blunt terms, saying India may become dependent on the US. It highlighted that the US would still charge 18 percent tariff on Indian goods, while India would reduce tariffs to zero on American products. The Kerala unit even demanded the Prime Minister resign.
