Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, raised concerns over the India-US trade agreement during a debate on the Union Budget. He criticized Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for reportedly granting tax concessions to foreign cloud service providers, which he believes could harm India’s economic and strategic interests.
Gandhi highlighted issues with tariff changes under the trade deal, claiming that it disproportionately benefits the United States. He expressed worry over the increase in tariffs from 3% to 18% and the potential negative impact on India’s economy.
The Congress leader emphasized the importance of safeguarding national interests, stating that lawmakers from all parties should prioritize protecting the country. Gandhi also criticized comparative tariff benefits given by the US to Bangladesh, suggesting that it could adversely affect India’s textile industry.
Gandhi further accused the government of compromising India’s energy independence and giving the US undue influence over the country’s oil procurement decisions. He alleged that the agreement weakens India’s position and could lead to punitive measures if India does not comply with US preferences.
