New Delhi (TDI): India’s main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, has strongly criticised the Narendra Modi-led BJP government over a trade agreement announced with the United States, accusing the government of compromising national interests and failing to inform Parliament about the deal’s terms.
US President Donald Trump revealed on Monday that Washington and New Delhi had reached a trade understanding following his conversation with Prime Minister Modi. Trump claimed India had agreed to halt purchases of Russian oil and could instead source energy supplies from Venezuela.
Reacting to the announcement, the Congress party said it was once again Trump, not the Indian government, who disclosed the agreement to the public. In a post on X on Tuesday, the party said the deal was presented as having been finalised at Modi’s request, echoing what it described as a similar pattern during the recent ceasefire announcement.
The party expressed alarm over reports suggesting India may have agreed to slash tariff and non-tariff barriers for American goods to zero. It warned that such a move could severely hurt domestic industries, small traders and farmers.
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Congress leaders also raised concerns over agriculture, questioning whether Indian farmers’ interests had been safeguarded amid speculation that the sector could be opened to US exports. The party further asked whether the Modi government had accepted Trump’s condition of ending oil imports from Russia.
“There is also talk of India buying more American goods. If that is true, then what remains of the ‘Make in India’ campaign?” the statement said, demanding that the government disclose full details of the agreement and brief Parliament and the public.
The Congress’ Kerala unit went a step further, describing the deal in stark terms. “In simple words, India will become an American colony,” it said, pointing out that while Indian goods would still face an 18 per cent tariff in the US, American exports to India could enjoy zero-duty access.
The state unit also issued a blunt message to the prime minister, calling on him to resign. In another statement, the Congress described the agreement as “the lowest moment” in India’s recent history, accusing Modi of bowing to US pressure. It alleged that the prime minister had compromised India’s sovereignty to protect powerful business interests, an apparent reference to Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.
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Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh compared Modi’s approach to what he termed a “surrender” during the Pakistan-India crisis in May 2025. He said that early optimism surrounding Trump’s second term quickly faded after the US intervened to halt Operation Sindoor on May 10.
Ramesh argued that Trump’s warming ties with Pakistan, including his engagement with Pakistan’s military leadership, had exposed what he called the failure of Modi’s much-publicised personal diplomacy.
