Congress Accuses Modi of Ceding Ground to Trump Over India-US Trade Deal

In Shorts

• Congress says Prime Minister Modi “surrendered” to US President Trump in the trade negotiation process.
• Opposition demands that the government present the full text of the India-US trade deal in Parliament.
• Issue has triggered political backlash with walkouts and calls for transparency in trade policy.

New Delhi Congress has lashed out at the central government after the announcement of a bilateral trade pact with the United States was publicly made by US President Donald Trump, saying the move exposed a lack of communication from New Delhi and compromised national interests.

Senior party leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the timing and manner of the disclosure, saying it appeared that India’s top leadership had ceded the narrative to Washington. He asserted that from the information available it was “abundantly clear” that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given in to pressure from Trump, diminishing India’s negotiating position.

The controversy erupted after Trump publicly stated that an agreement had been reached under which reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports to the United States would be reduced. Opposition leaders pointed out that details of the arrangement were not shared first by Indian officials, raising questions about transparency in the government’s handling of trade talks.

Congress has called on the government to place the complete text of the trade deals with both the United States and the European Union before both Houses of Parliament so that lawmakers can scrutinise and debate the terms. The party highlighted concerns about potential liberalisation of agricultural imports and its impact on local producers.

The political row intensified inside Parliament, with opposition members staging walkouts and raising slogans against the government’s approach. Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have defended the pact, arguing it could open new market opportunities for Indian exporters and strengthen economic ties with a key global partner.

As discussions continue, both sides are expected to focus on the domestic political implications of the trade deal, particularly how it balances economic interests with strategic autonomy and national priorities.