Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the Modi government of hastily agreeing to a trade understanding with the United States under external pressure, allegations that were firmly rejected by the ruling party and senior ministers.
Gandhi raised the issue during the ongoing Lok Sabha proceedings, linking the reported trade announcement to wider geopolitical and economic developments.
Opposition Allegations in Parliament
Rahul Gandhi claimed that the trade understanding, announced by former US President Donald Trump on February 2, involved a reduction of US tariffs on Indian goods from as high as 50 per cent to around 18 per cent, while committing India to large-scale purchases from the United States.
According to Gandhi, these commitments allegedly include increased imports of US goods worth up to $500 billion, and changes in India’s energy sourcing, including a shift away from Russian oil. The Indian government has not officially confirmed these specific figures.
Claims Linked to External Pressure
The Congress leader further alleged that the agreement was influenced by pressure arising from US investigations related to industrialist Gautam Adani and the release of sealed documents connected to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
He argued that these developments constrained India’s negotiating position, a claim disputed by the government.
Speaker’s Intervention During Debate
During the debate, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened when Rahul Gandhi attempted to reference former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane’s memoir concerning the 2020 Galwan Valley clash with China.
The Speaker ruled that references to specific books or documents not formally listed before the House could not be cited during the discussion, prompting objections from the opposition benches.
PM Modi is Compromised.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 3, 2026
PM is too afraid to let me speak in Parliament about Naravane, Epstein Files and how he has surrendered on Tariffs. pic.twitter.com/V1J6yxZDM2
Government’s Response
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal dismissed the opposition’s allegations, describing the trade understanding as historic and beneficial to Indian exporters.
He stated that India’s core interests, particularly in agriculture and sensitive sectors, had been fully protected and that no commitments had been made that would harm domestic producers.
Official Position on Trade Talks
Government sources clarified that discussions with the United States are ongoing and that any final trade agreement would be subject to detailed negotiations, Cabinet approval, and parliamentary scrutiny where required.
Officials also rejected claims of any compromise or surrender on tariffs, asserting that India continues to pursue trade agreements based on mutual benefit.
Political Implications
The exchange has intensified political debate in Parliament, with the opposition demanding greater transparency on trade negotiations, while the government maintains that misinformation is being spread for political reasons.
The issue is expected to remain a point of contention as parliamentary discussions on foreign policy and trade continue.
