The Congress targeted the Modi government after the announcement of the India-US trade deal, accusing it of creating “Trump-dependence.” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a sharp swipe at the Modi government over the India–US trade deal.
India-US Trade Agreement Sparks Debate
New Delhi: Political rhetoric has intensified regarding the trade deal between India and the United States. Following the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, while the government has hailed it as a major diplomatic and economic achievement, the Congress party has sharply criticized it, accusing the Modi government of increasing "Trump-dependence."
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, posting on the social media platform X, said that India is receiving information about its government's actions not from the government itself, but through the US President or his representatives. He wrote that even information about the talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump came not from India, but from the US Ambassador to India. Calling this "Trump-nirbharta (dependence)," Jairam Ramesh said that this is becoming a routine process.
It seems that Prime Minister Modi and President Trump spoke to each other today. This information has been provided not by the Indian side but by the US Ambassador to India.
This now seems to be the routine - India gets to know of its Govt’s actions only from President Trump or…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 2, 2026
Under the trade agreement reached between India and the United States, the US will reduce retaliatory tariffs on Indian products from the current 25 percent to 18 percent. US President Donald Trump made this decision public after a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump also claimed that India would move forward to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers against the US.
India-US Trade Deal: Who said what after the historic agreement; Click to know
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post, described his conversation with President Trump as pleasant. He said he was delighted with the news of the 18 percent tariff reduction on 'Made in India' products. PM Modi expressed his gratitude to President Trump on behalf of India's 1.4 billion people for this announcement. He said that when the world's two largest economies and largest democracies work together, the common people benefit.
Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today. Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement.
When two large economies and the…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 2, 2026
PM Modi said that President Trump's leadership is crucial for global peace, stability, and prosperity, and that India will continue to support the US in its peace efforts. He also expressed his commitment to taking the partnership between the two countries to new heights.
US Cuts Tariffs on Indian Goods from 25% to 18% After Trump–Modi Talks
President Trump stated on social media that the trade deal was agreed upon with immediate effect at the request of Prime Minister Modi and given the strong relationship between the two countries. He claimed that India would purchase more than $500 billion worth of energy, technology, agriculture, coal, and other products from the United States. Trump stated that this agreement would further strengthen India-US relations.
