New Delhi [India], February 7 : Congress leader Pawan Khera on Saturday criticised the India-US interim trade agreement, alleging it compromised India's interests and self-respect.
Khera contrasted current leadership with past leaders who stood firm with US counterparts, implying a loss of assertiveness and invoked the names of former US Presidents Nixon, Bush, and Obama, suggesting that previous Indian governments dealt with global superpowers as equals.
"Where is the India which used to look Nixon, George Bush and Obama in the eye and forge practical relations? Why does it feel today that the interests of the common people of India are undermined before the interests of Narendra Modi and his two friends, Ambani and Adani? This is not an Agreement with the US, but a compromise with our self-respect...," he said.
He also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal for celebrating the framework for the India-US trade agreement.
"Those who are attempting to show this as a reason to celebrate - Narendra Modi, his EAM and Piyush Goyal themselves know what has actually happened. This is not a deal, but a surrender," added Khera.
The Congress leader also alleged a systematic effort to stifle debate within the halls of power. Khera claimed that Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi has been repeatedly blocked from speaking on the matter in Parliament, and that the government's refusal to engage in an open debate stems from fear that the "surrender" conditions of the deal will be exposed to the public.
He also claimed that the government has "mortgaged" India's self-respect to Washington under undisclosed conditions.
"LoP Rahul Gandhi tries to speak in the Parliament, but he is stopped. This fear exists because Narendra Modi knows that the LoP and the Opposition know that on what conditions he surrendered and what fear he has that he mortgaged everything to the US," said Khera.
Earlier in the day, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Member of Parliament Manoj Kumar Jha launched a sharp attack on the Union government on Saturday regarding the India-US Interim Trade Framework Agreement, alleging that the Centre was "misleading the entire nation" over revised tariff structures.
Speaking about the deal, Jha said that India's historical tariff of 2.9% was raised to 50% under "threats" before being reduced to 18%, a move he argued is a loss for the country rather than a cause for celebration. The MP further said that once the full implications of the deal are revealed, it could trigger widespread "unrest on the streets".
On the India-US Interim Trade Agreement, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha said, "On most things, our tariff, in the worst of times and the best of times, was 2.9%. Through threats, it was raised to 50%. Then it was reduced to 18%. Is this something to celebrate? Aren't you misleading the entire nation?. When this takes further shape and comes to the forefront, there will be unrest on the streets."
Manoj Jha also criticised the wording on Truith Social, where information about the framework was provided.
Meanwhile, Piyush Goyal has assured farmers of complete protection under the agreement.
He also added that the deal would bring huge benefits to farmers and Indian MSMEs. He said, "Agricultural products from Indian farmers will be exported to the United States at zero duty. At the same time, no tariff concessions have been granted for agricultural products from US farmers entering the Indian market."One opening up of Distiller's Dried Grains market, he said, "We have opened our markets for the US on some products like Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), wines & spirits in which we have kept a minimum import price also."Goyal also informed that Agricultural products from Indian farmers will be exported to the United States at zero duty.
Minister Goyal said, "Agricultural products from Indian farmers will be exported to the United States at zero duty. At the same time, no tariff concessions have been granted to US farmers for agricultural products entering the Indian market. The agreement also makes it clear that genetically modified (GM) food will not be allowed into India.
""I can state categorically and without any hesitation that India's farmers, MSMEs, artisans, and craftsmen will not suffer any loss. On the contrary, India will benefit from greater access to the US market," the minister said.
The US and India announced in a joint statement that they have reached a framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal, mutually beneficial trade (the Interim Agreement) and have agreed on its terms.
According to a joint statement from the Ministry of Commerce and the White House, the United States will apply a reciprocal tariff rate of 18 per cent on goods originating in India, including textiles and apparel, leather and footwear, plastic and rubber, organic chemicals, home decor, artisanal products, and certain machinery.
Subject to the successful conclusion of the Interim Agreement, the US will remove the reciprocal tariff on a wide range of goods identified in the Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners Annex to Executive Order 14346 of September 5, 2025 (Modifying the Scope of Reciprocal Tariffs and Establishing Procedures for Implementing Trade and Security Agreements), as amended, including generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts.
Earlier on February 5, as the two nations announced the deal, Kirit Bhansali, Chairman of the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), stated that the agreement will provide much-needed relief to a sector that has struggled with high tariffs over the last year. He noted that the US remains the most critical market for Indian exports, and the deal is expected to reverse a sharp decline in trade volumes.