In a sharp critique that has ignited debates across political circles, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has questioned the much-touted India-US trade agreement, labeling it far from a ‘win-win’ for India. Speaking exclusively to a news agency in New Delhi on Tuesday, Chaturvedi highlighted the opacity surrounding the deal’s details, noting that most information stems from US President Donald Trump’s social media posts rather than official disclosures from the Indian government.
Chaturvedi pointed out that while Trump claims the US has slashed tariffs on Indian exports from 50% to 18%, granting some relief to exporters, the concessions appear heavily skewed in America’s favor. ‘India has apparently zeroed out tariffs and non-tariff barriers for US products entering our market,’ she remarked, warning that this could flood Indian markets with American goods unchecked. Such a move, she argued, risks dismantling protections for domestic industries.
The MP didn’t stop at trade tariffs. She raised alarms over reports suggesting India has agreed to curb oil purchases from Russia, shift away from Iranian crude, and even source from Venezuela—moves that align suspiciously with US geopolitical interests. ‘Our public sector oil firms have inked LPG deals with the US, and imports from America have jumped 10% in the past year,’ Chaturvedi noted, linking these to broader strategic concessions.
Delving deeper, she flagged potential openings in agriculture, coal, and other sectors, where longstanding barriers safeguarding Indian farmers and producers might be lifted. ‘This isn’t just about tariffs; it’s about handing over our markets on a platter,’ she asserted, emphasizing the threat to farmers who have long relied on protective measures.
Chaturvedi’s comments extend beyond trade, touching on democratic backsliding. She condemned the government’s handling of an excerpt from a former Army Chief’s book, referenced by Rahul Gandhi in Parliament, as a blatant suppression of truth. Ministers like Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju, and Amit Shah, she said, orchestrated the silencing of opposition voices, suspending proceedings when facts about Galwan Valley clashes surfaced. ‘In a democracy, the public deserves the truth about what happened—no matter how uncomfortable,’ she declared, calling the censorship a betrayal of national interests.