The Indian National Congress slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government on Tuesday over the trade deal finalised with the United States a day ago, demanding that the administration take the nation into confidence regarding the agreement’s specifics.
US President Donald Trump on Monday said he had agreed on a trade deal with India that slashes US tariffs Indian goods to 18% from 50% in exchange for India lowering trade barriers, stopping its purchases of Russian oil and buying oil instead from the US and potentially Venezuela.
Following that, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on his X account thanked the US president for the “wonderful announcement”, saying that “President Trump’s leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace.”
He added: “I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights.”
The deal follows a period of significant friction as trade negotiations collapsed last year in August, leading Trump to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50%—the highest rate globally. This included a 25% retaliatory levy imposed due to India’s continued procurement of Russian oil.
Responding to the trade deal announcement, the Congress said, “Just like the ceasefire, the announcement of the trade deal was also made by US President Trump. It has been stated that the trade deal is being done ‘on Modi’s request’.”
After days of war, the ceasefire between Pakistan and India was announced by Trump on May 10, 2025. The president had said that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire,” amid both countries launching strikes and counter-strikes against each other’s military installations. The move was then much debated and criticised in India, while Pakistan capitalised on it and strengthened ties with America.
READ MORE: US cuts Pakistan tariff to 19% from 29% after trade deal
The Indian opposition party also berated the ruling party for reducing tariff and non tariff barriers against the United States to ‘zero’. “It seems India has agreed to completely open our market for America. This will impact Indian industry, traders and farmers,” it said.
“There is talk of opening the agriculture sector for America in the statement as well. What exactly is the deal? How has the security and interests of our farmers been ensured?”
The Congress wondered if the Modi government agreed that it will not buy oil from Russia, but will buy from America and Venezuela instead.
“In addition, there is talk of buying more goods from America. If that’s the case, then what happened to ‘Make in India’?
“India has the right to know details of the trade deal. The Modi government must take the Parliament and the entire country into confidence and share all the details,” it said.
In a reaction to the deal, Congress’s Kerala chapter tweeted: “Simply put, we will be an American Colony. US will have tariff of 18% on our goods and we will charge 0% for their goods. Resign and get lost Modi.”
It further said that Modi surrendered India’s sovereignty to United States to keep his friend and himself out of jail.
“This is the lowest moment for the country. Complete surrender without even fighting!”
Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh said almost exactly a year ago, Prime Minister Modi landed up at the White House to greet President Trump on his re-election. “His trademark huglomacy was on full display. India-US relations never appeared brighter.” He said negotiations for a trade deal started immediately thereafter.
Ramesh drew parallel between the ceasefire in the May 2025 war between Pakistan and India on Trump’s interference and the current trade deal.
“…ever since President Trump made the first announcement of the halt to Operation Sindoor on the evening of May 10, 2025, things began to go downhill,” he added. Subsequently, he said, President Trump embraced Pakistan and Field Marshall Asim Munir enthusiastically, exposing the hollowness of Modi’s huglomacy.
“President Trump announced the trade deal very late last night Indian time. From the information President Trump has provided, it is abundantly clear that Prime Minister Modi has – like he did on May 10, 2025 – completely surrendered. He has most definitely appeased President Trump. India stands diminished by this unfortunate sequence of events,” he said.
The opposition leader also demanded from the government to put the text of both the EU and US trade deals before the parliament for debate, “especially since the US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has issued a statement claiming that India has liberalised agricultural imports from the US”.
On the flip side, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar welcomed the announcements on bilateral trade following the conversation between PM Modi and President Trump, saying, “This will create more jobs, spur growth and promote innovation in both economies. It will strengthen ‘Make in India’ endeavours and encourage trusted technology ties. The opportunities in our economic engagement are truly vast and we are confident of realizing them.”
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