Political storm clouds gathered over Parliament as Congress MP Manish Tewari fired the first salvo against the India-US trade agreement, filing an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Addressing Secretary General Snehlata Shrivastava via letter, he called for halting all scheduled business to dissect this ‘vitally important public issue.’
At the heart of the controversy is an alleged US Presidential claim: that India has committed to ending Russian crude purchases, surging oil imports from the US and Venezuela, scrapping tariffs and barriers, and inking a $500 billion-plus buy-in for American products.
Tewari’s missive laid bare the risks. “Russian oil has tamed fuel costs; any hasty pivot spells trouble for people and businesses,” he wrote. He flagged perils to homegrown manufacturing, farming communities, and MSMEs from such an expansive concession.
Pressing for an instant government clarification and thorough House deliberation, Tewari warned against backroom deals eclipsing parliamentary oversight on trade, energy, and global relations.
Key concessions in the deal include trimming US tariffs on Indian items to 18%, countered by India’s pledge to lower select barriers on US imports. Opposition voices have erupted in protest, branding the accord a giveaway that prioritizes US gains over Indian sovereignty.
With the session in full swing, Tewari’s intervention amplifies calls for accountability. It underscores deepening rifts over the government’s aggressive trade push, setting the stage for potential showdowns that could redefine India’s economic diplomacy.