No deal but U.S. steal: Congress's dig at Centre over Indo-U.S. trade agreement

Congress criticizes the India-U.S. trade agreement as a "steal," claiming India conceded more than it gained, reflecting diplomatic failure.

The Congress on Wednesday (January 11, 2026) took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-U.S. interim trade agreement, saying the deal is a steal by the "PM's good friend in Washington" and reflects an "abject failure" of our "political huglomacy" as well as economic diplomacy.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said no matter what spin the "PM and his lie-brigade" may give, the hard reality is that the U.S. has extracted more from India than it has conceded.

"It is significant that a number of independent analysts and commentators -- who have not been Modi-unfriendly -- have criticised the India-US trade deal as a capitulation, an asymmetrical set of commitments, a sell-out, and a humiliating cave-in," Mr. Ramesh said.

It is significant that a number of independent analysts and commentators - who have not been Modi-unfriendly - have criticised the India-US trade deal as a capitulation, an asymmetrical set of commitments, a sell-out, and a humiliating cave-in. Whatever the spin that the PM and…

"Whatever the spin that the PM and his lie-brigade may give, the hard reality is that the US has extracted more from India than it has conceded. This is inspite of Mr. Modi's aggressive wooing of President Trump, including campaigning for him in September 2019," the Congress leader said.

PM Modi also managed to be among the first to greet the re-elected President Trump in February 2025, he pointed out.