INTRO: NDA leaders praised the India–US interim trade pact, accusing Congress of pessimism and ignoring its economic benefits.
New Delhi
Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance on Sunday welcomed the newly announced India–US Interim Trade Agreement, calling it a landmark step for India’s economy while sharply criticising the Indian National Congress for opposing what they described as a historic pact.
JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said the Congress should reflect on its own record before questioning the agreement between India and the United States. He pointed out that when Congress was in power, it backed the India–US nuclear deal despite controversies around national sovereignty and information sharing. At that time, Congress supported the US nuclear deal, but today they are pointing out shortcomings in the India–US trade pact, Kumar said, calling the party’s stance inconsistent.
BJP National Spokesperson C. R. Kesavan echoed the criticism, accusing Congress of what he termed politics of pessimism. He said the party was facing a credibility crisis and claimed many people no longer trusted statements made by Rahul Gandhi. Kesavan argued that the Congress appeared hostile whenever India made progress, adding that the trade deal would benefit farmers, fishermen, skilled workers, and a wide section of the population.
Highlighting the economic impact of the agreement, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan said the pact would significantly boost India’s trade with the US. For our business with America, only a few items have an 18 per cent tariff, which is big news for India, he said, noting that reduced duties would improve competitiveness for Indian exporters.
UP Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar underlined the strategic and diplomatic importance of the agreement, linking it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global outreach. He said Modi’s foreign visits often conveyed India’s message of peace and harmony, adding that the trade deal was part of that broader effort. The India–US Interim Trade Agreement framework aims to cut tariffs on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, with particular benefits for agricultural produce, industrial goods, and food items.
