The Congress party on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi following US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's announcement that India has pledged to purchase goods worth $500 billion from the United States over the next five years. Congress alleged that PM Modi has effectively handed over India's foreign policy to the US, questioning whether this "capitulation" on imports is linked to the relief provided to the Adani empire by US President Donald Trump. The US last week dismissed criminal fraud charges against the Adani Group in the so-called "solar energy scam."
Jairam Ramesh's Statement
In a statement referring to Rubio's announcement, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh highlighted that India's current annual imports from the US stand at $52.9 billion, meaning India would have to more than double its yearly imports to meet the $500 billion target over five years. Ramesh pointed out that countries like Malaysia have annulled their trade agreements with the US after the US Supreme Court declared Trump's tariffs illegal.
Concerns Over Trade Deal
Ramesh argued that the Indo-US trade deal saw the Modi government unilaterally make enormous concessions that threaten Indian farmers and industries. "The logic of this deal has now collapsed after the US Supreme Court's verdict striking down tariffs," he said. He further noted that while PM Modi has urged Indians to save foreign exchange, his government has agreed to record imports from the US, which could further weaken the rupee.
The Congress party's criticism comes amid growing political tensions over India's trade relations with the US, with opposition parties accusing the government of compromising national interests for bilateral gains.
