Trade agreement with US amounts to ‘surrender’ by Modi government, alleges Congress

The Congress on Saturday alleged that the interim trade agreement between New Delhi and Washington would be “heavily tilted in favour of the US” and that the deal amounted to a surrender by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

Under the deal, US tariffs on Indian goods will be reduced to 18% from a combined tariff rate of 50%. The earlier rate of 50% had included a punitive levy of 25% imposed in August for buying Russian oil.

However, the head of the Congress’ media and publicity department Pawan Khera contended that on account of the deal, India will become a dumping ground for American products, due to which the interests of farmers and small and medium industries will be hurt.

“This not a deal, as a deal is one that is between equals, where you sit across a table and negotiate” Khera said at a press conference. “A deal cannot be finalised with a gun to your head.... It is blackmail, it is surrender.”

LIVE: Press briefing by Shri @Pawankhera at Congress Office, New Delhi. https://t.co/UtDJNoyKoR— Congress (@INCIndia) February 7, 2026

Congress MP and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that the framework for the deal “is heavily tilted in favour of the US and the asymmetry is obvious”. He asked how the announcement about the...

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