Controversy Surrounds India-US Trade Deal: Congress Demands Answers

Congress MP KC Venugopal has raised serious concerns about the India-US trade agreement, highlighting potential negative impacts on Indian industries and farmers. Accusations include increased U.S. exports to India affecting local markets, and geopolitical shifts in energy buying. Calls for parliamentary discussion intensify as details remain undisclosed.

In a move that has stirred significant debate, Congress MP KC Venugopal has issued an Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha, demanding a thorough discussion on the freshly inked India-US trade agreement. Venugopal warns of potential adverse impacts on Indian industries and farmers, stemming from the terms of the pact.

The trade deal, which lowers tariffs on Indian exports to the United States to 18 percent, has been touted by Washington as a boon for U.S. agricultural exports to India. However, Venugopal claims that details of the agreement have not been transparently shared with Parliament, raising alarms about its far-reaching consequences.

The Congress leader further questions U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that India will cease purchasing oil from Russia, opting instead for supplies from Venezuela. Such a pivot, he argues, could undermine India's strategic autonomy. Additionally, the alleged broadening of U.S. access to India's agriculture sector ignites fears over the security of Indian farmers, prompting demands for immediate parliamentary discourse.

(With inputs from agencies.)