Congress Alleges India US Interim Trade Deal Compromises Farmers, Energy Security and Sovereignty

Congress Alleges India US Interim Trade Deal Compromises Farmers, Energy Security and Sovereignty​

The Indian National Congress on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of surrendering to US President Donald Trump by agreeing to the India US interim trade deal. The party claimed the agreement would devastate the livelihoods of millions of farmers and compromise India’s energy security, digital sovereignty and economic self reliance.

Congress Terms Deal One Sided and Unequal​

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said trade agreements should not come at the cost of a country’s sovereignty. He asserted that national and public interests cannot be sacrificed under the guise of a trade pact.

Surjewala described the Indo US interim trade deal as one sided and unequal. According to him, trade agreements must be based on mutual public interest on equal terms and should not undermine livelihoods or sovereignty.

He stated that 1.44 billion Indians would not accept any arrangement that weakens the country’s self reliance. Questioning the government’s position, he asked whether India was pursuing Aatmanirbhar Bharat or becoming America nirbhar Bharat.

Concerns Over Agriculture and Duty Free Imports​

The Congress leader alleged that the agreement directly impacts India’s farmers by opening the domestic agricultural market to American products.

Citing the February 6 Framework Agreement, Surjewala claimed India had agreed to open its market to US agricultural and food products without import duty. He said the proposed import of products such as Dried Distillers’ Grain, processed maize, sorghum, soybean oil and cotton could adversely affect domestic producers, biodiversity and seed purity.

He pointed out that India produces around 43 million metric tonnes of maize annually compared to 425 million metric tonnes in the United States, questioning how Indian farmers would compete with duty free imports. He also raised concerns over the possible entry of genetically modified crops.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh echoed the criticism, stating that the deal would negatively impact millions of farmers. In a post on X, he alleged that the Prime Minister had surrendered to President Trump.

Surjewala further claimed that Bangladesh, which currently purchases 50 per cent of its cotton from India, may shift sourcing to the United States, calling it a double blow for Indian cotton farmers.

Subsidies and Non Tariff Barriers Under Scrutiny​

Referring to point five of the agreement, Surjewala said India would remove non tariff trade barriers in response to American concerns. He alleged that while the United States provides annual subsidies of about Rs 1.45 lakh crore to its farmers, Indian farmers receive Rs 6,000 per family and face high input costs for diesel, fertilisers, electricity and pesticides.

He claimed the government had agreed to reduce farmers’ subsidies and approve genetically modified crops, alleging that the deal puts India’s agricultural interests at risk.

Energy Security and Crude Oil Imports​

The Congress leader also questioned the implications of the agreement on India’s energy security. He cited statements attributed to President Trump indicating that India had promised not to purchase crude oil from Russia and that compliance would be monitored.

According to Surjewala, between February 2022 and January 2026, India imported crude oil worth Rs 15.24 lakh crore from Russia and saved approximately Rs 1.81 lakh crore due to lower prices. He alleged that purchasing crude oil from the United States and Venezuela instead could increase costs and weaken India’s self reliance.

Call for Government Clarification​

Surjewala said the central issue was whether the trade agreement was based on equality or coercion. He demanded that the government clarify its position and answer questions regarding agriculture, energy security and trade terms.

The Congress party maintained that the India US interim trade deal places national interests at stake and called on the Prime Minister to respond to the concerns raised.