'You Have Sold India, Are You Not Ashamed?: Rahul Gandhi Brings Epstein, Ambani And Trade Deal In Parliament

• Calls for US to treat India as an equal partner, not a subordinate
• Says India will protect its energy security and farmers at any cost
• Criticises Modi government's handling of digital data and trade rules
• Raises concerns over tariff changes and rising US imports

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi delivered a sharp message aimed at former US President Donald Trump while also criticising the Modi government over trade and data policies. Speaking on economic and strategic issues, he stressed that India must be treated as an equal and that national interests - especially energy security, farmers and digital sovereignty - must remain protected.

'Treat India as equals'

Rahul Gandhi said India cannot be treated as a junior partner in global negotiations. He emphasised that the strength of the Indian people plays a crucial role in the global economy.

"You want to protect your dollar, but remember the biggest asset that can protect your dollar lies with the Indian people," he said.

He added that any engagement between India and the US must be based on equality. "Treat India as equals - you are not going to talk to us as if we are your servants," he stated.

The Congress leader also stressed that India will safeguard its energy needs regardless of external pressure. "Our energy security is our energy security, and no matter what happens, we will protect it," he said.

On farmers, he said that while global leaders have their own voter bases to protect, India will prioritise its farmers. "We understand that you have a voter base of farmers, but we will also protect our farmers," Rahul Gandhi said.

Criticism over data and digital trade

Rahul Gandhi also criticised the central government over its handling of digital trade and data policies. Calling data India's "most valuable asset", he questioned the government's approach to digital agreements.

He alleged that India has given up significant control in the digital space and listed several concerns:

• Lack of strong data localisation provisions
• Free flow of Indian data to the United States
• Limits on digital taxation
• No requirement to disclose source code in certain agreements
• Long tax concessions for foreign players

According to him, these steps could weaken India's digital sovereignty and long-term economic interests.

Concerns over tariffs and trade balance

The Congress leader also raised questions over tariff structures and trade balance between India and the US. He claimed that tariff changes and trade commitments appear uneven.

Key points raised by him included:

• Average tariffs rising from around 3% to nearly 18%
• US imports to India projected to increase significantly
• Reduction in US tariffs on certain Indian goods
• Lack of clear reciprocal commitments

Rahul Gandhi argued that India must ensure balanced trade agreements that protect domestic industries and economic interests.

Rahul Gandhi's remarks come amid ongoing political debate over India-US trade ties, digital policies and economic agreements. While the government maintains that international partnerships are aimed at boosting growth and strategic cooperation, opposition leaders continue to raise concerns over their long-term impact.

His statement signals that issues such as energy security, farmers' welfare and digital sovereignty are likely to remain central themes in political discussions on India's global economic engagements.

'You have sold India': Rahul Gandhi's charge

Rahul Gandhi is his sharp attack on the Centre in Parliament, criticised the government over energy security, tariffs, farmers' concerns and digital trade, alleging that India's sovereignty was being weakened.

Rahul Gandhi raised concerns over India's energy independence, claiming that the country could face pressure over its oil purchases.

"Now the US will come and decide where we buy oil from? And if India buys oil from a country they do not want, they will monitor and punish us - they will push our tariffs back to 50%," he said in the House.

He also warned that Indian farmers could be adversely affected by trade decisions. "For the first time in Indian history, our farmers are facing a storm. Maize, soybean, red sorghum, cotton - you have opened the doors to mechanised American farms and crushed our poor farmers. No Prime Minister has ever done this before, and no Prime Minister after you will do this," he added.

The Congress MP escalated his attack by accusing the government of compromising national interests.

"I am saying that you have sold India. Are you not ashamed of selling India? Do you have no shame in selling India? You have sold our mother, Bharat Mata," Rahul Gandhi said during his speech.

He further alleged that the Prime Minister would not have taken such steps under normal circumstances. "The interesting thing is that I know the Prime Minister would not sell India under normal circumstances. Do you know why he sold India? Because they are choking him. They have a grip on his neck. We can see fear in the eyes of the Prime Minister," he claimed.

Rahul Gandhi also referred to the Epstein files controversy, saying, "There are two things - first, Epstein. Three million files are still locked up..."

Rahul Gandhi On Epstein

Continuing his remarks, Rahul Gandhi questioned why a businessman had not been jailed and alleged links to the Epstein files. He said, "There is a businessman called Mr Anil Ambani. I want to ask why he is not in jail? The reason is that his name is in the Epstein files. I want to ask Mr Hardeep Puri - who introduced him to Epstein? I know who introduced him, and even Mr Hardeep Puri knows."

He also targeted the government's defence spending priorities, stating, "At the centre of our defence budget is a choke applied by Adani... The point is that I do not believe any Indian Prime Minister, including PM Modi, would sign such a deal unless there was a chokehold on him."

Criticism over tariffs, data and trade policies

Rahul Gandhi alleged that India had compromised on key economic aspects, including tariffs and digital data.

"We have lowered our tariffs, handed over our data, given up control over digital trade rules - no data localisation, free flow of data to the US, limits on digital tax, no disclosure of source code, and a 20-year tax holiday," he said.

He added that the country's most valuable asset - data - had been handed over and warned of long-term impact on key sectors. "Our textile sector has been hit - Bangladesh will now wipe out our industry. Our energy security has been compromised. We cannot buy oil from wherever we want. I do not believe any Indian Prime Minister would do this. There is no logic," he said.

'Complete surrender', says Congress leader

Concluding his remarks, Rahul Gandhi termed the situation a "complete surrender" and said it could affect the future of the country.

"This is a complete surrender. It is not just the Prime Minister's surrender - it is a surrender of the future of 1.5 billion Indians," he said, alleging that decisions were being taken to protect political and financial interests.

His remarks sparked sharp reactions in Parliament, further intensifying the political debate over trade, economic policy and India's strategic autonomy.