Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the India-US trade deal while commerce and industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the agreement as a landmark step in strengthening India-US relations and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
He said both sides would now complete technical processes and paperwork.
“I wish to reiterate to this august House that India`s core sensitivities in food and agriculture have been fully safeguarded,” Goyal said.
Kharge with contrasting views alleged that it would harm Indian farmers and weaken the country’s agriculture sector. Speaking during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Upper House, Kharge accused the government of sidelining Parliament and prioritising foreign interests over farmers.
Insult to Parliament
Kharge said Parliament learned about the trade deal from US President Donald Trump while the House was in session. “The fact that parliamentarians came to know about the India-US trade deal from President Trump and not the government is an insult to Parliament,” he said, adding that Trump appeared to be “telling what India should do and how to run it from the US.”
Quoting US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Kharge said, “The new US-India deal will export farm products to India`s massive markets, lifting prices and pumping cash into rural America.” “Meaning American farmers will benefit,” he said, asking the government, “Tell us, are you (government) working for the welfare of farmers, or are you against the farmers?” according to PTI.
Zero-Tariff Imports a Threat
Kharge alleged that American farm imports would enter India at zero tariff, while Indian exports would face an 18 percent duty. “Indian farmers will be destroyed by this deal,” he said, accusing the government of wanting to “destroy” the agriculture sector. He also criticised the government for what he called a pattern of ignoring farmers’ concerns over the past 11 years the government had “bulldozed” social justice, equality and parliamentary democracy.
He alleged the weakening of the Constitution’s four pillars—justice, liberty, equality and fraternity—and said atrocities against minorities, tribals and women had increased under NDA rule.
Manipur, Minorities and Silenced Parliament
Kharge said any talk of social harmony must include Manipur, where at least 200 people have died and 70,000 displaced. “You have made Manipur a militarised zone,” he said, noting it took two years for the Prime Minister to visit the state.
He also accused the government of stifling parliamentary debate by rejecting Opposition demands and pushing laws without proper scrutiny.
Inequality, Jobs and Labour Laws
Citing the World Inequality Report, Kharge said 1 per cent of Indians hold 40 per cent of the nation’s wealth and questioned what the government had done to address inequality.
He flagged rising unemployment, criticised new labour codes, and accused the government of dismantling worker protections to benefit “corporate friends.”
Taking a dig at the ‘Achche Din’ slogan, he said pollution has become so severe that people are forced to buy air purifiers.
“Those who talk about ease of doing business can`t give ease of breathing…,” he slammed.