"Trump-nirbharta": Jairam Ramesh Mocks PM Over Washington Dictating India’s Trade Policy
Opposition questions terms of US-India trade pact, alleging concessions and weak negotiation stance.
The Indian National Congress on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the proposed US-India trade agreement, describing it as an “ordeal” shaped by what it termed Prime Ministerial “desperation and surrender.” The opposition party alleged that the negotiations lacked transparency and risked compromising India’s economic interests in favour of strategic optics.
In a statement issued in the national capital, Congress leaders accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of conceding too much ground in discussions with the United States in pursuit of a diplomatic headline. The party claimed that key domestic sectors, including agriculture, small-scale manufacturing and data protection frameworks, could face adverse consequences if safeguards are not clearly articulated and enforced.
Congress further argued that trade negotiations must prioritise national economic security and employment generation over what it described as “photo-op diplomacy.” Party spokespersons questioned whether Parliament had been adequately briefed on the contours of the proposed deal, and demanded that any final agreement be subjected to detailed legislative scrutiny.
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The government, however, has maintained that strengthening trade ties with the US would unlock new market access for Indian goods and services, deepen supply chain integration, and enhance bilateral investment flows. Officials have indicated that negotiations are aimed at addressing tariff barriers, improving regulatory cooperation and expanding collaboration in technology and critical sectors.
The political exchange underscores the broader debate over India’s trade strategy amid shifting global economic alignments. As talks between New Delhi and Washington continue, the final structure of the agreement — and the concessions, if any, embedded within it — is likely to remain a focal point of domestic political contestation.
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