Congress leader calls out India’s negotiating stance with Trump, warns of risks to farmers, energy security, and national interests.
In a fiery address in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Modi government, claiming that India had approached the recent trade deal with the United States in a weak and unequal manner. He argued that if the INDIA alliance had been in power, the nation would have negotiated with then-President Donald Trump as equals, not as “servants.”
Amid rising slogans from the treasury benches, Rahul sharply criticized the government for allowing the US to set the terms of the trade agreement, a move he said undermined India’s bargaining power.
Rahul Gandhi Outlines Three Key Failures
During his speech, the Congress leader listed three areas where India should have been firmer in dealings with Trump, stressing that Indian interests must come first.
1. Protecting Indian Data
Rahul emphasized the importance of India’s digital and economic data in negotiations. He said:
“If the INDIA alliance were negotiating with President Trump, the first thing we would say is, if you want to protect your dollar, we are your friends… the biggest asset that can protect your dollar is with the Indian people. But you will talk to us as equals, you are not going to treat us as your servants.”
2. Safeguarding Energy Security
The Congress MP warned that India should have prioritized its energy independence, indirectly referencing Trump’s statement that India had agreed to halt Russian oil imports under the trade deal—a claim not confirmed by the Indian government.
“Now, the US will decide who we buy oil from, not our Prime Minister,” Rahul said, highlighting the potential risks of compromising national energy strategy.
3. Protecting Farmers’ Interests
Rahul also focused on the agricultural sector, insisting that India must protect its farmers while understanding the US’s own domestic concerns.
“We understand that President Trump has to protect his farmers, but we will protect ours. India cannot be treated the same as Pakistan in these negotiations,” he stressed.
Sharp Criticism of Prime Minister Modi
Rahul Gandhi did not hold back in targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of “selling India” by allegedly opening doors for American farm goods to enter sensitive markets.
“Are you not ashamed of selling India? Have you no shame in selling our mother, Bharat Mata? You have opened the door to crush our poor farmers,” he said.
This pointed attack comes shortly after Rahul stirred controversy by reading excerpts from an unpublished book by ex-Army Chief General Mukund Naravane during the ongoing Budget session.
