New Delhi [India], February 11 (ANI): Hitting out at the Centre over the India-US interim trade agreement, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the government of compromising national interests and questioned whether it was “not ashamed of selling India,” alleging that it had effectively “sold Bharat Mata.”
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi said the government itself has acknowledged that the world is facing a global storm, with the era of a single superpower coming to an end, intensifying geopolitical conflicts, and the weaponization of energy and finance. Despite recognizing this reality, he alleged, the government has allowed the United States to weaponize energy and financial systems in ways that affect India.
“You yourself admit that we are facing a global storm — that the era of one superpower is over, that geopolitical conflicts are intensifying, and that energy and finance are being weaponized. Yet, despite acknowledging this reality, you have allowed the United States to weaponize energy and financial systems in ways that impact us. When America says we cannot buy oil from a particular country, it effectively means our energy security is being dictated externally — that energy itself is being weaponized against us. Are you not ashamed of this? I am saying you have compromised India’s interests. Have you no shame in what you are doing? It is as though you have sold ‘Bharat Mata,’” Rahul Gandhi said.
In another attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi said he did not believe the Prime Minister would “sell India” under normal circumstances, but claimed that external pressure was being exerted on him. He alleged there was visible fear in the Prime Minister’s eyes and referred to “Epstein files” being locked up, suggesting undisclosed pressures at play.
“The interesting thing is that I know that the Prime Minister would not sell India under normal circumstances. You know why he sold India? Because they are choking him. They have got a grip on his neck. We can see fear in the eyes of the Prime Minister. There are two things — first, Epstein. Three million files are still locked up,” Gandhi said.
Raising concerns over tariffs, Gandhi said the average tariff had increased from around 3 percent to 18 percent, calling it a sixfold rise. At the same time, he claimed that US imports into India are projected to increase from USD 46 billion to USD 146 billion. He termed the situation “absurd,” alleging that India was committing to increase imports by nearly USD 100 billion annually without receiving firm commitments in return.
“Secondly, what have you done on tariffs? Earlier, the average tariff stood at around 3 percent. It has now risen to 18 percent — a sixfold increase. At the same time, US imports into India are projected to rise from 46 billion dollars to 146 billion dollars. This is absurd. Absolutely absurd. There is no firm commitment from the United States towards us, yet we are committing to increase imports by nearly 100 billion dollars annually. We are making concessions but receiving nothing concrete in return. It appears as though we are standing there like fools. Our tariffs have increased from 3 percent to 18 percent, while theirs have reportedly fallen from 16 percent to zero,” Rahul Gandhi said. (ANI)
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