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Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala has criticized the India-US interim trade deal, alleging it harms farmers, weakens energy security, and compromises digital freedom. He questioned tariff reductions, data privacy concerns, and whether the agreement undermines the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Political swirl over India-US trade deal (Image Source: Internet)
New Delhi: Politics has intensified over the proposed interim trade agreement between India and the United States. Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala has leveled serious allegations against the central government, saying that the deal compromises Indian farmers, energy security, and digital freedom. He claims that the agreement appears to prioritize American interests over national interests.
Surjewala alleged that this trade agreement could harm Indian farmers and agricultural landowners. He said that if American processed fruits, agricultural products, and other goods enter the Indian market at low or zero tariffs, it could lead to a decline in the prices of domestic products.
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Citing an example, he said that cotton imports worth $334 million have already put pressure on the domestic market. Therefore, if wheat, milk, and dairy products are also included in the zero tariff category, it will directly impact farmers' incomes. He questioned whether the government had assessed this potential loss.
Surjewala also expressed serious concerns about digital freedom and data security. He stated that a country's data privacy and sovereignty should not be compromised in any international agreement. He alleged that the central government, which claims to be a strong government, has not adequately protected digital rights.
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According to him, trade agreements should be based on equal terms and mutual benefit between two countries, not under pressure from any one party.
Surjewala also said that when the Foreign Minister was questioned about this deal, he referred to it as a matter of another department. The Congress leader said that if the country's Foreign Minister himself does not have complete information about this agreement, how can the general public be satisfied with the government's response?
In his statement, Surjewala also questioned the slogan 'Self-reliant India'. He asked whether this agreement would make India self-reliant or dependent on the United States. He argued that trade agreements should never be made at the expense of a country's sovereignty and public interest.
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Currently, the announcement of the framework of the India-US interim trade agreement has sparked political debate. In the coming days, this issue is likely to become the focus of further discussion in Parliament and public forums.
