New Delhi, February 7: Congress MP Sukdev Bhagat has raised concerns regarding the recent trade agreement between India and the United States. He accused President Trump of launching a direct attack on India’s sovereignty, claiming that the Indian government hastily accepted Trump’s terms.
In an interview with a news agency, Bhagat stated, “This is not a trade deal. It is an agreement that affects our strategic autonomy.”
He questioned whether Trump would dictate India’s oil purchases and trade partnerships. Bhagat emphasized that this constitutes a direct assault on India’s sovereignty. He criticized Prime Minister Modi for not attending Parliament, suggesting that the government fears both Trump and scrutiny from the public.
Bhagat highlighted the potential impact on the dairy sector, noting that around 80 million people could be affected, which would also harm farmers. He pointed out that while the U.S. provides its farmers with subsidies of about 30-35%, India is limited to just 10% under WTO rules. “How can we compete? The entire economy is at stake,” he warned.
He further criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the deal, stating that neither the Finance Minister nor the Agriculture Minister was informed. The agreement was made over a phone call, with no detailed information released during the parliamentary session. He noted that tariff rates have surged from 3% to 18%, questioning why the government is pleased with this outcome.
Regarding the arrest of Pappu Yadav, Bhagat condemned the misuse of law, asserting that Yadav, a member of Parliament, was not given a warrant and that proper procedures were not followed. “Things could have been handled correctly, as everyone should adhere to the law,” he stated.
