Lucknow: Congress MP and leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "compromising India's economic, digital and energy security in trade deal with the United States". Gandhi also raised concerns over India's energy policy, alleging that the govt had ceded decision-making authority to Washington.
“India had agreed to follow US instructions on whether to buy oil and gas from countries like Russia, Iran or Iraq. The recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatened India’s energy stability, because of these policy changes,” he added.
The LoP made the remarks while addressing Congress workers at the Samvidhan Sammelan in Lucknow, where he continued his criticism of what he called “unfair terms” in India-US trade and data arrangements.
Gandhi alleged that India had surrendered strategic leverage by allowing the US access to Indian data.
“The PM handed over all the data of the people of India to the American govt and companies, permitting them to store it anywhere and granting a 20-year tax holiday. This change left India unable to monitor or regulate how the data of its citizens is used,” claimed Gandhi.
“The govt has agreed to purchase goods worth Rs 9 lakh crore annually from the US, a move that will severely harm Indian businesses,” Gandhi said.
Listing agricultural products such as cotton, soybeans, pulses, fruits and nuts, he said imports from large, mechanized American farms would undercut small Indian farmers operating on two to five acres of land.
According to Gandhi, India received nothing in return from these decisions, asserting that taxes had increased and domestic producers were left vulnerable.
He alleged that the prime minister was “compromised and has surrendered”, referencing financial and international controversies by name while claiming they weakened India’s negotiating position.
Courtesy : TOI
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