Rahul Gandhi Launches Fierce Attack on PM Modi Over Controversial US Agreement
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, delivered a scathing critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, accusing him of "betraying the country" by signing a deal with the United States. Gandhi asserted that this agreement would severely harm India's farmers, small traders, and broader national interests, marking a significant escalation in political rhetoric.
Data Sovereignty and AI Future at Stake
Gandhi emphasized that India's vast data resources, generated by its 1.4 billion citizens through medical records, communications, and mobility patterns, represent some of the nation's most valuable assets. He alleged that the deal would permit the United States to access this sensitive data, potentially compromising India's future in artificial intelligence and digital technology. According to Gandhi, this data was effectively sold to the US as part of the agreement, raising alarms about privacy and strategic control.
Agricultural Sector Under Threat
Addressing a United Democratic Front (UDF) rally in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital, Gandhi warned that the pact would open India's agricultural sector to large American mechanized firms. This move, he claimed, would place small farmers at a severe disadvantage, a scenario not encountered under previous prime ministers. He cautioned that Indian crops and agricultural livelihoods could be adversely affected, threatening food security and rural economies.
Energy Security Compromised
Gandhi also raised critical concerns about India's energy security, alleging that the deal would force the country to purchase oil exclusively from nations approved by the United States. This restriction, he argued, would limit India's autonomous ability to procure oil, including from key suppliers like Russia, thereby undermining national sovereignty in energy policy.
Economic and Political Allegations
Further intensifying his attack, Gandhi stated that imports from the US worth approximately Rs 9 lakh crore could enter India under this agreement, a scale unprecedented in previous administrations. He linked this to broader political controversies, mentioning that several documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case remain undisclosed and alleging that individuals close to Modi, such as industrialist Anil Ambani and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, are referenced in them.
Gandhi also pointed to legal issues in the US involving industrialist Gautam Adani, suggesting that the prime minister fears exposure of financial connections to the BJP. He claimed that due to these pressures, Modi hastily agreed to the deal with the US, and alleged that the US President publicly threatened to damage Modi's political career, implying that the prime minister is compromised.
This comprehensive critique underscores growing tensions over international agreements and their domestic implications, with Gandhi positioning himself as a vocal defender of India's economic and digital sovereignty against perceived external influences.
