In the wake of the newly announced Indo-US trade pact, the Indian National Congress has launched a scathing critique, denouncing the agreement as a "surrender" of India's self-esteem and national interests. The opposition party alleges a lack of transparency and suggests that key details are being concealed from the public.
Pawan Khera, head of the Congress's media and publicity department, addressed a press conference on Saturday, stating that the pact is a "betrayal to all that India stands for". Khera argued that the deal would transform India into a dumping ground for American products, thereby harming the interests of Indian farmers, small businesses, and medium-sized industries. He went on to say that the agreement was not negotiated among equals but was instead a "blackmail" situation, a "surrender" executed with a "gun held on your head".
The Congress's criticism comes shortly after Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced that India had not conceded on any duty concessions for dairy products while claiming several Indian goods, including agricultural products, would attract zero reciprocal tariffs in the US. However, these assurances have done little to quell the opposition's concerns.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh echoed these sentiments, questioning the outcomes of the United States-India Joint Statement. He suggested that the terms made public so far indicate a bias towards Washington, potentially harming India's energy policy, trade balance, and the welfare of Indian farmers. Ramesh highlighted the "silence on details" within the joint statement, adding to the suspicion that crucial information remains hidden. He also pointed out that the United States had separately announced that a 25 per cent penalty could be imposed again if India purchases Russian oil, directly or indirectly, a move he said would effectively constrain India's independent decision-making on energy procurement.
The party has also taken a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Jairam Ramesh quipping that "Namaste Trump has scored over Howdy Modi," implying that the Prime Minister's focus on optics and symbolism has not translated into tangible benefits for India. Congress claims that all the "hugs and photo-ops have not amounted to much".
The Congress party's opposition raises questions about the potential implications of the trade pact for India's economic independence and future trade relations. Concerns have been raised about whether the agreement will allow the US to dub India a "thief" and closely monitor New Delhi's oil purchases from Russia. The party insists the pact is a compromise with India's self-esteem and the interests of its farmers, MSMEs, and the middle class.