New Delhi erupted in political heat on Wednesday as Congress MP Manish Tewari tabled an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, demanding urgent debate on the contentious India-US trade agreement. In a strongly worded letter to Lok Sabha Secretary General Snehlata Shrivastava, Tewari underscored the gravity of the issue, calling it a matter of profound public importance that cannot wait.
The motion seeks to suspend Question Hour, Zero Hour, and all other listed business to focus solely on the deal. Tewari referenced a purported statement from the US President claiming that India’s Prime Minister has agreed to halt Russian oil imports, ramp up purchases from the US and Venezuela, eliminate all Indian tariffs and non-tariff barriers, and commit to buying over $500 billion worth of American goods.
“Such sweeping commitments could devastate India’s energy security and economy,” Tewari argued in his letter. He highlighted how Russian crude has been a lifeline in curbing fuel inflation, warning that any abrupt shift would burden citizens and industries alike. Domestic manufacturing, farmers, and SMEs stand to suffer from this lopsided pact, he added.
Tewari urged the government to issue an immediate statement and allow full parliamentary scrutiny. “Decisions on trade, energy, and foreign policy must not be shrouded in secrecy,” he emphasized, pushing for transparency to prevent opaque deals from undermining national interests.
Meanwhile, details of the agreement reveal US tariffs on Indian goods slashed to 18%, with India agreeing to ease some trade barriers on American products. Opposition parties have slammed the deal as heavily tilted in Washington’s favor, raising alarms over its long-term impact on India’s self-reliance.
As the monsoon session intensifies, Tewari’s move signals escalating opposition scrutiny on the government’s international trade maneuvers. Will the Speaker grant the motion? The coming days will reveal if this trade controversy dominates parliamentary proceedings.