### Rahul Gandhi Lambasts India-US Trade Pact in Lok Sabha, Calls it a 'Wholesale Surrender'

Source: The Hindu - February 11, 2026

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### Rahul Gandhi Lambasts India-US Trade Pact in Lok Sabha, Calls it a 'Wholesale Surrender'

**NEW DELHI** — In a high-octane session of the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering offensive against the Union Government, alleging that the recently finalized interim trade agreement with the United States constitutes a "wholesale surrender" of India’s economic sovereignty and national security.

Participating in the debate on the Union Budget 2026–27, Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of compromising the interests of Indian farmers and the country’s energy security under external pressure. The Congress leader’s speech, marked by sharp rhetoric and frequent interruptions from the Treasury benches, framed the trade deal as a lopsided arrangement that favors Washington at the expense of India’s "Annadata" (farmers) and its digital future.

#### 'A Storm for Indian Farmers'
Gandhi focused heavily on the agricultural sector, claiming that the deal opens the floodgates for highly subsidized, mechanised American farm products to enter the Indian market. "You have opened the door to mechanised American farms to crush our poor farmers. This is disgraceful. No Prime Minister has ever done this, and no Prime Minister will do it after you," Gandhi said, addressing the government benches. He alleged that sensitive sectors like textiles and pulses would be "finished" by the influx of American imports.

#### Energy Security and Russian Oil
A key pillar of Gandhi's critique was the alleged compromise on India’s strategic autonomy. He claimed that the government had buckled under US pressure to stop purchasing Russian oil, effectively allowing Washington to dictate India's energy policy. "Our energy security has been handed over. The United States will now decide whom we buy oil from," he remarked, describing the move as a betrayal of India's long-standing policy of non-alignment and strategic independence.

#### The 'Data Currency' Argument
In a shift toward modern geopolitics, Gandhi argued that the government had failed to leverage India’s most valuable 21st-century asset: its data. He alleged that the agreement surrendered digital trade rules, including provisions for free data flow to the US and a 20-year tax holiday for major technology firms.

"In a contest between the United States and China, the single most valuable asset is Indian data," Gandhi stated. "If the Americans want to remain a superpower, the key to that is Indian data. We should have negotiated as equals, not as subordinates."

#### Government Hits Back
The government was quick to dismiss the allegations. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju termed Gandhi’s speech "full of lies" and demanded that the LoP authenticate his claims or face a privilege motion. "No one can buy or sell India. The Leader of Opposition is making baseless allegations without any substantive contribution to the budget discussion," Rijiju said.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also defended the pact, calling it a historic milestone that would slash reciprocal tariffs and boost high-tech cooperation. He accused Gandhi of having a "negative mentality" that seeks to obstruct India's path to becoming the world's third-largest economy.

The debate concluded with a walkout by Congress and INDIA bloc members, signaling that the India-US trade deal will remain a central flashpoint in the ongoing Budget Session.

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