‘Trump-Nirbharta’! Congress Reacts to India–US Trade Deal, Jairam Ramesh Attacks Modi Govt

The Congress on Monday reacted sharply to the Modi government following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a trade deal with India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's subsequent public remarks welcoming the tariff cut on Indian goods.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned the manner in which details of the conversation between Modi and Trump emerged, saying the information was not first shared by the Indian government. "It seems that Prime Minister Modi and President Trump spoke to each other today. This information has been provided not by the Indian side but by the US Ambassador to India," Ramesh said in a post on social media.

Ramesh alleged that this has become a pattern under the Modi government. "This now seems to be the routine - India gets to know of its government's actions only from President Trump or his appointees," he said, taking a swipe at what he described as growing dependence on Washington. He used the term "Trump-nirbharta" to criticise the government's handling of foreign policy communication.

The Congress reaction came after Trump announced that the United States would cut reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, describing the move as part of a new trade deal. Trump also claimed that India had agreed to major policy changes, including reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers on American goods and increasing purchases of US products.

Prime Minister Modi later welcomed the tariff reduction, thanking Trump and calling the move a boost for "Made in India" products. Modi said closer cooperation between the world's two largest democracies would benefit both countries and unlock new opportunities.

The opposition, however, raised questions over transparency and decision-making, particularly on issues linked to trade, energy policy and foreign relations. The Congress has demanded greater clarity from the government on the commitments made to the United States and their potential impact on India's economic and strategic interests.