BJP Condemns Rahul Gandhi's 'Ridiculously False' Trade Deal Allegations
In a sharp rebuke, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of misleading Parliament with outdated information regarding the India-US trade deal. BJP national media head and spokesperson Anil Baluni asserted that Gandhi's claims are based on an "older version" of a US government fact sheet, labeling them as "ridiculously false" and a distortion of facts.
Selective Reading and Misrepresentation Alleged
Baluni, in a statement on social media platform X, alleged that Rahul Gandhi did not merely critique the Budget document but engaged in a "selective reading" to deliberately misrepresent it. "He misquoted it, misread it, and then built an argument on that distortion," Baluni stated. He emphasized that Parliament deserves scrutiny grounded in facts, not selective interpretations that weaken democratic debate and disrespect the intelligence of the Indian people.
Specifically, Baluni countered Gandhi's claim that Indian data is being sold to the US, calling it false. He clarified that the Budget proposes a tax break for companies setting up data centres in India until 2047, which aligns with India's goal of data localisation and sovereignty.
Budget Proposals and Supply Chain Fortification
Baluni also termed Gandhi's assertion that the Budget lacks proposals to fortify India's supply chains as "incorrect." He highlighted that the Budget includes:
- A proposal for rare earths development.
- A new semiconductor mission focusing on all levels of the value chain.
- Several critical mineral corridors planned through states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Additionally, Baluni addressed Gandhi's claim about India opening up its farming sector for pulse imports, noting that the updated US fact sheet carries no mention of pulses. He underscored that Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has repeatedly stated India is not opening the farming and dairy sectors for the US, a stance maintained during the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union.
Outdated Document and Energy Security Claims
Baluni pointed out that Rahul Gandhi's allegations hinge on an outdated US government document that framed India's proposed $500 billion purchases as a commitment. "That language has since been corrected," he said, explaining that the updated position clarifies India has expressed an intention, not a binding obligation, to purchase goods worth up to $500 billion over coming years.
On the issue of energy security, Baluni refuted Gandhi's claim that India has compromised its interests. He noted that despite strong pressure from the Biden administration to stop buying Russian oil in 2022, India prioritized its national interest, with imports from Russia rising significantly. "That was strategic autonomy, not surrender," Baluni asserted, adding that the Modi government has shown it will bypass Western pressure to secure India's energy needs.
Baluni concluded by recalling that Gandhi's own party opposed Russian oil imports at the time, further discrediting his arguments. The BJP's response aims to set the record straight amid ongoing political debates over trade and national policies.
