‘President Trump, talk to us as equals’: Rahul Gandhi attacks Centre over India-US trade deal

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the India-US trade deal, asserting that India should negotiate with President Donald Trump “as equals.” Speaking during the Budget session, Gandhi outlined what he claimed the INDIA alliance would have conveyed had it been in charge of negotiations.

He said the Opposition bloc would tell President Trump that while India values its friendship with the US and understands Washington’s concerns about protecting the dollar, access to India’s vast data and market must come with mutual respect. “You are going to talk to us as an equal. You’re not going to talk to us as if we are your servants,” Gandhi said.

Gandhi further stressed that India would safeguard its energy security regardless of external pressure, alluding to demands related to oil imports. He also said that while the US may seek to protect its agricultural voter base, India would equally defend its farmers’ interests. “Let’s talk as equals. We would not be made equal to Pakistan,” he added.

His remarks came amid political sparring over the contours of the interim trade agreement, including revisions in a US factsheet that removed references to pulses and replaced the word “committed” with “intends” regarding India’s proposed purchases. The debate unfolded in Parliament as the Budget session continues.