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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged that a deal between India and the United States effectively handed over India’s data resources to the US, claiming that few in the political system had raised concerns over the issue.

Speaking during an interaction with members of the Information Technology fraternity at Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, Gandhi said data was among the most valuable strategic resources India possesses and should be central to negotiations with global partners.

“If in that deal India had said that our data is the most valuable data in the world, I can guarantee there would be no taxes on agriculture or small and medium businesses,” Gandhi said while responding to questions on data protection.

The Congress leader argued that India holds an enormous pool of data due to its vast and diverse population and that this resource should be leveraged in international negotiations.

“When you go into a negotiation, you must clearly understand what you have. We have huge diversity, the largest pile of data on the planet, and some of the best engineering and medical talent,” he said.

 

Also read: Indo-US trade deal will harm Indian farmers: Rahul

 

Gandhi also cited Kerala’s skilled workforce, saying the state produces some of the best nurses in the world.

 

He drew a comparison with global energy resources, arguing that if Russia were to hand over its entire oil reserves to the US, there would be a massive backlash.

 

“But when India handed over its data, there was not a peep,” he claimed.

 

Gandhi said the political system should focus more on discussing how India’s vast data resources should be utilised, who should have access to them, and at what cost.

 

“These are the questions politics in India should be discussing, how to use our biggest resource,” he said.

 

The Leader of Opposition added that such decisions should emerge from consultations involving Indian businesses, citizens, multinational companies and global partners, including the United States.

 

“It is the most powerful conversation India can have,” he said.