Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a sharp attack on the central government during a debate on the Union Budget 2026-27, accusing it of compromising national interests through a recently concluded interim trade and tariff agreement with the United States. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Gandhi alleged that the deal amounted to a "wholesale surrender" that endangered India's farmers, energy security, and digital sovereignty. He repeatedly questioned the government's actions, famously declaring, "You have sold India... are you not ashamed of selling India? You have sold our mother, Bharat Mata."

Gandhi's criticism centered on claims that the agreement opened India's sensitive agricultural and dairy markets to American imports, potentially flooding them with cheaper U.S. goods and threatening the livelihoods of crores of small and marginal farmers. He described the move as unprecedented, stating that "for the first time in history our farmers are facing a storm" and that the government had "opened the door to crush our poor farmers." The opposition leader also alleged concessions on digital trade rules, including relaxed data localization requirements, free data flows to the U.S., limits on digital taxes, and no mandatory source code disclosure, which he argued handed over India's valuable data resources—worth trillions—without adequate safeguards.

Further escalating his remarks, Gandhi suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had acted under external pressure, claiming the U.S. was "choking" him and that fear was visible in the Prime Minister's eyes. He asserted that under normal circumstances, the Prime Minister would not compromise India's interests, but the deal reflected a loss of strategic autonomy, particularly in energy decisions. Gandhi claimed the agreement effectively allowed the U.S. to influence where India sources its oil, undermining the country's independent energy policy. He contrasted this with how an INDIA bloc government would negotiate, insisting on equal treatment and firm protection of farmers, data, and energy security.

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The speech provoked strong reactions in the House, with treasury benches reportedly protesting loudly during Gandhi's intervention. Opposition leaders have echoed similar concerns about the trade deal's potential impact on domestic industries, including textiles, which Gandhi claimed was "finished" as a result. The government has yet to issue a detailed public response to these specific allegations, though the agreement is part of ongoing efforts to address tariff disputes and strengthen bilateral economic ties amid global uncertainties.

This episode highlights the deepening political divide over India's foreign trade and economic policies, particularly in the context of relations with the United States under President Donald Trump. Discussions in Parliament continue as lawmakers debate the broader implications of the budget and international agreements on national priorities. Authorities and experts are monitoring how the interim deal might evolve into a fuller trade framework, with stakeholders calling for greater transparency and safeguards for vulnerable sectors.

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