KARACHI: India’s main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, has launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government over a newly announced trade deal with the United States, demanding that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) take the nation into confidence and disclose the full details of the agreement.
The criticism followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump on Monday, in which he said Washington had struck a “trade deal” with India after talks with Modi. Trump claimed that New Delhi had agreed to stop buying Russian oil and may instead purchase oil from Venezuela.
However, the Kremlin said it had received no indication from India that it would halt imports of Russian oil following Trump’s announcement. “So far, we haven’t heard any statements from New Delhi on this matter,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
The Congress highlighted this contradiction in a post on the social media platform X on Tuesday. “Just like the ceasefire, the announcement of the trade deal was also made by US President Trump. It has been stated that the trade deal is being done ‘on Modi’s request’,” the party said.
Just like the ceasefire, the announcement of the trade deal was also made by US President Trump. It has been stated that the trade deal is being done ‘on Modi’s request’.
• Trump says that India will move to reduce tariff and non tariff barriers against the United States to…
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 3, 2026
Congress leaders also questioned the substance of the agreement, particularly reports that India would reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers for the US to zero. “It seems India has agreed to completely open our market for America. This will impact Indian industry, traders and farmers,” the party said.
The opposition further asked whether the interests and security of Indian farmers had been safeguarded, especially amid speculation that the agriculture sector could be opened to American products, according to Dawn. It also questioned whether the Modi government had agreed to Trump’s stated condition that India would stop buying Russian oil.
“In addition, there is talk of buying more goods from America. If that’s the case, then what happened to ‘Make in India’?” the Congress asked, calling on the government to present the full details of the deal to Parliament. “India has the right to know details of the trade deal. The Modi government must take the Parliament and the entire country into confidence and share all the details.”
‘American colony’
The Kerala unit of the Congress reacted even more sharply, calling the deal a surrender of economic sovereignty. “Simply put, we will be an American colony,” it said, alleging that while the US would continue to impose an 18 per cent tariff on Indian goods, India would offer zero tariffs on American imports.
“Resign and get lost,” the state unit said in a blunt message directed at Modi. In another post, the Congress described the agreement as “the lowest moment” for India, accusing Modi of bowing to pressure from Trump.
“Modi surrendered India’s sovereignty to the US to keep his friend and himself out of jail,” the party said, in an apparent reference to businessman and Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.
“This is the lowest moment for the country. Complete surrender without even fighting!” the statement added.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh compared Modi’s current stance to what he described as the prime minister’s “surrender” during the Pakistan–India conflict in May 2025. Ramesh said that while India–US relations had appeared promising at the start of Trump’s re-election, they had deteriorated since the US president halted Operation Sindoor on May 10.
“From the information President Trump has provided, it is abundantly clear that Prime Minister Modi has — like he did on May 10, 2025 — completely surrendered. He has most definitely appeased President Trump,” Ramesh said. “India stands diminished by this unfortunate sequence of events.”
He also called for both the proposed US and European Union trade deals to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament and subjected to full debate.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate expressed concern over comments by US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who welcomed the deal by saying it would allow more American farm products into India’s “massive market,” lifting prices and injecting cash into rural America. Shrinate described the reaction as “deeply worrying” for Indian farmers.
Government response
The Modi government, however, defended the agreement. India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar welcomed the trade deal, saying it would generate employment, drive economic growth and promote innovation in both countries.
“It will strengthen ‘Make in India’ endeavours and encourage trusted technology ties,” Jaishankar said in a post on X, pushing back against opposition claims that the agreement undermines India’s economic interests.
Welcome the announcements on bilateral trade following the conversation between PM @narendramodi and President @realDonaldTrump.
This will create more jobs, spur growth and promote innovation in both economies. It will strengthen ‘Make in India’ endeavors and encourage trusted…
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 2, 2026
