Gandhi Voices Strong Concerns at Punjab Rally
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, February 28, 2026, launched a scathing attack on the India-U.S. interim trade deal, asserting that it would 'destroy Indian farmers' and small and medium businesses. Addressing a 'Mazdoor Kissan Maha Rally' in Barnala, Punjab, Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had guaranteed the United States to buy products worth ₹9 lakh crore annually. He termed the agreement a 'death warrant' for the country's agricultural sector and industries.
Allegations of Hasty Finalization and External Pressure
Gandhi questioned the sudden finalization of the trade deal, which he claimed had been stalled for four months due to disagreements over opening India's agriculture sector to American imports. He asked, 'Question arises, the work which PM did not do for four months, why did he do it within 15 minutes?' The Congress leader further alleged that Prime Minister Modi made the decision without consulting his cabinet, including the Agriculture, Defence, or External Affairs ministers. He also suggested that PM Modi was under pressure from the U.S., possibly linked to the 'Epstein files,' to sign the deal.
According to Gandhi, the deal would allow American agricultural products such as soybeans, corn, cotton, fruits, and almonds to flood the Indian market, making it impossible for unmechanized Indian farmers with small landholdings to compete.
Context of the India-U.S. Interim Trade Deal
The United States and India had announced a framework for an interim trade agreement on February 6, 2026, aimed at lowering tariffs and boosting economic cooperation. Under this framework, India agreed to eliminate or reduce tariffs on a range of U.S. industrial goods and agricultural products, including dried distillers' grains, red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine, and spirits. The agreement also outlined India's intention to purchase $500 billion worth of U.S. goods over five years, encompassing energy products, aircraft, precious metals, and technology. This figure differs from the ₹9 lakh crore annually (approximately $108 billion annually) cited by Rahul Gandhi. Recent developments, including a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against certain tariffs, have introduced uncertainty, with some experts suggesting India might revisit the terms.
Broader Implications and Future Concerns
Beyond the agricultural sector, Rahul Gandhi raised concerns about the deal's impact on India's data sovereignty and energy security. He warned that if India were to purchase goods worth ₹9 lakh crore annually from the U.S., it would severely damage the country's small and medium-scale industries. The Congress leader reiterated his call for the deal to be cancelled, emphasizing the need to protect India's foundational sectors.
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