New Delhi

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Tuesday raised strong objections to the recently announced India–US trade agreement, arguing that it compromises India’s sovereignty by allowing Washington to influence New Delhi’s trade relationships and energy decisions.

Reacting to the deal, which lowers US tariffs on Indian exports to 18 per cent, Chidambaram said the arrangement appears to give the United States undue authority over India’s international economic choices, including decisions related to oil imports.

Speaking to ANI, Chidambaram said that if the United States can dictate who India trades with, it raises serious concerns about India’s independence in managing its foreign affairs. He pointed out that claims made by US President Donald Trump—particularly regarding India halting oil purchases from Russia—are unprecedented, especially given India’s long-standing ties with Moscow.

“We are a sovereign nation and must decide what serves our national interest,” he said, adding that while India and the US are important partners, their relationship should be rooted in mutual trust and equality. “India needs America and America needs India, but the partnership cannot be one-sided.”

Chidambaram also expressed unease over the unpredictability of President Trump’s policy positions. He noted that Trump has made contradictory statements about India in the past, ranging from criticising the Indian economy to claiming credit for de-escalation between India and Pakistan. Such inconsistency, he said, makes it difficult to assess the true implications of the trade deal.

The Congress MP further questioned the conditions attached to the tariff reduction, particularly alleged restrictions on India’s oil imports from Russia and Iran—both of which have been long-standing energy partners. He also raised doubts over claims that India would significantly increase imports from the US, including reports suggesting purchases worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

“Are we currently in a position to import $500 billion worth of American goods?” he asked, adding that no meaningful assessment can be made without access to the full text of the agreement. He cautioned against forming opinions based solely on social media statements, noting President Trump’s tendency to make impulsive announcements.

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The Congress party has demanded that the government disclose complete details of the India–US trade deal. It has sought clarity on sensitive issues such as potential opening of the agricultural sector, proposed tariff reductions to zero, and any commitments regarding suspension of Russian oil imports, as claimed by the US President.