By Rootsalert News Desk : 12-Febraury-2026
In one of his most blistering attacks to date, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the Narendra Modi government of “wholesale surrender” to the United States. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the Union Budget debate, Gandhi alleged that the recent India-US interim trade agreement was signed under “heavy pressure,” effectively mortgaging the country’s energy security and the future of its farmers.
The Congress leader did not mince words, pointing directly at the Treasury benches and asking, “Are you not ashamed of selling India? You have sold our mother, Bharat Mata.”
Gandhi’s speech focused on what he termed a “one-sided” deal that favors American interests at the expense of India’s sovereignty. He highlighted several critical areas of concern:
- Agricultural “Storm”: Gandhi claimed the deal opens the floodgates for “mechanized American farms” to crush small Indian farmers. He specifically mentioned that crops like soybean, cotton, and maize are now at the mercy of US imports.
- Energy Security: The LoP alleged that India has handed over its energy decisions to Washington. “The US will now decide who we buy oil from,” he claimed, suggesting that India’s strategic autonomy has been compromised.
- The “Digital Giveaway”: Gandhi accused the government of waiving data localization requirements and offering “20-year tax holidays” to Big Tech firms, effectively handing over India’s most valuable asset—its data—to foreign corporations.
- Tariff Disparity: He pointed out a glaring imbalance in the trade terms, claiming Indian tariffs have jumped to 18% while US tariffs on certain goods have dropped to zero.
In a provocative turn, Gandhi suggested that Prime Minister Modi would never have signed such a deal under normal circumstances. Using a martial arts analogy, he described the Prime Minister as being in a “chokehold” due to external pressures.
“No Prime Minister surrenders like this without massive pressure. India understands—this deal is not one of equals, it is one of compulsion.”
He further attempted to link the government’s perceived desperation to “protect the BJP’s financial architecture,” referencing recent international controversies, including the Adani case and the Epstein files, as potential leverage used against the administration.
The Treasury benches erupted in protest during the speech, with several ministers calling Gandhi’s claims “baseless” and “full of lies.”
- Nirmala Sitharaman: The Finance Minister shot back during her reply, stating, “Koi mai ka laal paida nahin hua jo humare desh ko bechde” (No one has the audacity to sell out this country). She accused the Congress of surrendering farmer interests to the WTO during the UPA era.
- Kiren Rijiju: The Parliamentary Affairs Minister announced that the government would move a privilege motion against Gandhi for “misleading the House” and making unauthenticated allegations.
- Piyush Goyal: The Commerce Minister defended the deal as a “calibrated” move that protects sensitive sectors like dairy and wheat while expanding market access for Indian MSMEs.
Gandhi concluded by framing how an INDIA bloc government would have handled the negotiations. He stated that he would have told President Donald Trump:
- “Talk to us as equals, not servants.”
- “Indian data is the key to protecting the dollar; if you want it, pay the price.”
- “Our energy security is non-negotiable.”
As the Budget session continues, the trade deal is set to remain a massive flashpoint, with farmer unions already calling for nationwide protests on February 12.
