Congress MP Manish Tewari has submitted an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss the USA-India Joint Statement on the Interim Trade Agreement and concerns regarding the purchase of Russian oil. This marks the third time Tewari has raised this issue. The trade deal between India and the US was finalized on February 2 after a conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump.
Tewari urged the suspension of Question Hour and other business to address the implications of the trade agreement and the recent Executive Order by the White House. He expressed concerns about potential commitments related to Russian oil purchases and agriculture concessions impacting India’s energy security, farmers’ interests, and strategic autonomy. Opposition parties have criticized the trade agreement, claiming it favors the US over India’s interests.
The Interim Agreement between the US and India aims for reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade. Both countries view this as a significant step towards a full US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement initiated by Trump and Modi last year. The framework focuses on balanced trade, with India benefiting from tariff adjustments, sector-specific access, and the removal of trade barriers. As part of the agreement, the US will impose an 18% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods.
