‘American colony’: Indian opposition slams Modi’s BJP government for US-India trade deal

The Indian National Congress on Tuesday criticised the Narendra Modi-led BJP government for the trade deal struck with the United States on Monday, calling on the government to take the country into confidence about the deal’s details.

United States President Donald Trump announced a “trade deal” with India on Monday after speaking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying New Delhi agreed to stop buying Russian oil and may purchase it instead from Venezuela.

“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 Congress said in a post on social media platform X on Tuesday.

It slammed the move to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers against the US to zero, saying, “It seems India has agreed to completely open our market for America. This will impact Indian industry, traders and farmers.”

It also questioned whether the security and interests of Indian farmers had been ensured amid talk of opening the agriculture sector to the US, and whether the Modi government had agreed to the condition stated by Trump that it would no longer buy 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 post added.

“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.”

The Kerala chapter of Congress also slammed the move in briefer terms, saying, “Simply put, we will be an American colony.”

It pointed out that the US would still have a tariff of 18 per cent on Indian goods, while India would charge 0pc tariffs on American goods.

“Resign and get lost,” it said bluntly, addressing Modi.

On the other hand, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar welcomed the trade deal, claiming that it would create more jobs, spur growth and promote innovation in both economies.

“It will strengthen ‘Make in India’ endeavors and encourage trusted technology ties,” he said on X. “The opportunities in our economic engagement are truly vast and we are confident of realising them.

“A robust economic relationship is the strongest foundation for our strategic partnership.”

After Trump’s announcement on Monday, Modi took to X to express his happiness with the reduction of tariffs on India.

“Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement,” he wrote.

“I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights.”

Modi was one of the first leaders to visit the White House after Trump’s inauguration for his second term in January 2025, but that has not stopped difficult trade negotiations over the past year.

The trade talks fell apart last year, and Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods in August to 50pc, the world’s highest rate, including a levy of 25pc in retaliation for India’s purchases of Russian oil.

Trump also said in October that Modi had promised to stop buying Russian oil, but an agreement did not materialise at the time.