New Delhi: Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, alleging that the PM would “meekly bow” to pressure from former US President Donald Trump as a critical tariff deadline approaches. The jibe comes amid intense negotiations between India and the United States over a pending trade agreement.
Posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mr Gandhi shared a news report highlighting Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent remarks on India’s stance in trade talks. The report quoted Mr Goyal saying that India was not rushing into any deal unless it was “fair and in national interest.”
Taking a dig at the government, Gandhi wrote, “Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants. Mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline.”
The Deadline
The controversy revolves around a July 9 deadline, marking the end of a 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs originally imposed by the Trump administration. These tariffs, which included a 26% duty on a range of Indian exports, were temporarily lifted to allow room for negotiations between the two countries.
If a deal is not finalized by the deadline, the suspended tariffs could be reinstated, affecting Indian trade significantly. Talks for an interim trade agreement have been ongoing for months, but pressure is mounting as time runs out.
India’s Official Stand
Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reaffirmed that India would not be bound by deadlines and would only agree to a trade pact that protects its strategic and economic interests.
“A trade agreement will only be signed when it’s mutually beneficial. National interest is always supreme. We are willing to engage, but only if the deal is fair,” said Mr Goyal.
He further added that while discussions with the US continue, India is simultaneously exploring trade opportunities with other partners, including the European Union, New Zealand, Oman, Chile, and Peru.
“India does not enter into trade deals under pressure or timelines. A free-trade agreement must be mature, well-negotiated, and equitable,” Goyal said.
As the deadline looms, political tensions are rising, with the Opposition portraying the moment as a test of India’s negotiating strength on the global stage. The outcome of the trade talks will likely have significant political and economic implications in the weeks to come.
