The Congress on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “surrendered” before US President Donald Trump by agreeing to the India-US interim trade deal, claiming it would “devastate” the livelihoods of crores of farmers and compromise national interests.
Addressing a press conference, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said trade agreements must be rooted in “mutual public interest on equal terms” and not become instruments of coercion.
“Trade agreements are the path to economic progress. The very foundation of trade agreements is mutual public interest on equal terms. Trade agreements should not be a path to slavery by sacrificing a country's sovereignty. National and public interests cannot be sacrificed under the guise of trade agreements,” Surjewala said.
Tagging his remarks, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said on X that the prime minister had “completely surrendered before President Trump - just as he did on May 10, 2025, when he abruptly and unexpectedly halted Operation Sindoor”.
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Surjewala alleged that the February 6 framework agreement opened India’s agricultural markets to American products without import duty, calling it a “direct attack” on farmers’ livelihoods. He questioned whether processed maize, sorghum, soybean and fruit imports would affect biodiversity and seed purity, and asked if the government had “opened the doors for GM Crops in India through the back door”.
Referring to US farm subsidies, he said, “America gives its farmers an annual subsidy of about Rs 1.45 lakh crore. In contrast, in India, a subsidy of Rs 6,000 is given per farmer family, but Rs 25,000 is taken back through expensive diesel, fertilisers, electricity, and pesticides.” He alleged that India had agreed to reduce subsidies and approve genetically modified crops.
The Congress leader also raised concerns over energy security, citing statements from the US side that India had promised not to buy crude oil from Russia. He claimed that between February 2022 and January 2026, India saved approximately Rs 1.81 lakh crore by importing discounted Russian crude.
“Now, on Trump's insistence, the Modi government will buy crude oil from the US and Venezuela, but the rates will not be cheap. In such a situation, my direct question is, isn't this playing with India's self-reliance?” Surjewala asked.
He said the agreement’s key concerns were agriculture, energy security and trade terms, adding: “So, why is the Modi government agreeing to it? The country demands answers.”
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