Patna

Senior Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda on Thursday attacked the Government of India over its recent trade agreement with the United States, alleging that the pact undermines India’s economic independence.

Addressing reporters in Patna, the Haryana Member of Parliament accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led administration of appearing “weak rather than decisive” in negotiations with Washington.

Hooda argued that the agreement contradicts the vision of “Atma Nirbhar Bharat,” claiming it risks turning India into what he described as an “America-dependent Bharat.” He questioned whether the government’s policies were strengthening or compromising the country’s long-term self-reliance.

The Congress leader further contended that the deal could adversely affect farmers, threaten energy security and create vulnerabilities in India’s digital and data protection framework.

Referring to agricultural concerns, Hooda claimed that the government had already begun importing cotton from the US, which he said has put domestic cotton growers under pressure. According to him, farmers are struggling due to limited export access to Bangladesh while domestic cotton prices have reportedly dropped by as much as ₹1,000 per quintal below the minimum support price.

He also expressed concern over the reported removal of import duties on certain American fruits and nuts, suggesting that growers in states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh could face economic hardship as a result.

On the energy front, Hooda alleged that the agreement requires India to purchase oil from the US without guaranteeing competitive pricing compared to supplies from Russia or Iran. He further claimed that the deal includes provisions warning of penalties if India continues importing oil — directly or indirectly — from Russia.

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Hooda said the public deserves clarity on why the government accepted such conditions, adding that the long-term implications of the agreement warrant serious scrutiny.