Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi Blasts Modi lashed out at the interim US-India trade deal during the Lok Sabha budget session. He said the agreement could threaten the jobs of the country’s youth, the livelihoods of farmers and the country’s energy security.
According to him, the government has reduced duties on industrial goods and agricultural commodities, such as soybean oil, from the United States. This will bring cheaper foreign goods to India and put pressure on indigenous industries and farmers.
“When cheap goods come from abroad, small industries in the country can close down and youth working in factories can become unemployed,” Gandhi said. Farmers could also suffer, because if cheaper soybean oil comes from outside, then the price of indigenous oil will start to fall.
He also questioned whether the government was properly protecting the interests of the country, or whether decisions were being taken under pressure from the United States.
According to the agreement, the US has reduced tariffs on some Indian exports from 25% to 18%, especially on items like clothing (textiles). The government argues that this will boost India’s exports and benefit the industry.
But Rahul Gandhi said that while a country like Bangladesh has access to zero duty (0%) in the US, India’s 18% could also be harmful. According to him, Indian companies are not getting equal opportunities.
Rahul Gandhi also made some other allegations. He said some pressure from the United States, such as the Epstein file and the Adani case, could affect the agreement. Although there is no firm evidence of the allegations, the Opposition is making the issue an issue and demanding an answer from the government.
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BJP leaders responded strongly to the statement. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Rahul Gandhi was giving false information in the House. He said if the Opposition leader tarnishes the image of the country without evidence, a privilege motion would be brought against him.
The debate in the House intensified, heated rhetoric in the media, and the Speaker had to intervene.
Overall, politics has heated up over the trade deal. The government says it will boost trade and employment, while the opposition claims it will affect farmers, youth and the country’s economic security. It remains to be seen what changes come after the discussion in Parliament and what the final decision is for the country.
