Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi over US deal harming farmers and national interests

T'puram: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "betraying the country" by signing a deal with the US that he claimed would harm India's farmers, small traders and national interests.

Gandhi said India's vast data resources, generated by its 1.4 billion people through medical records, communications and mobility patterns, were among the country's most valuable assets. He alleged that the deal would allow such data to be accessed by the US, which could have implications for India's future in artificial intelligence and digital technology. This data was sold to the US as per the deal, he said.




Addressing a UDF rally in the state capital, Gandhi alleged that the agreement would open India's agricultural sector to large American mechanised firms, putting small farmers in the country at a disadvantage. He said such a move was not undertaken by previous prime ministers and warned that Indian crops and agricultural livelihoods could be affected.

Gandhi also raised concerns about India's energy security, claiming that the deal would force India to buy oil only from countries approved by the US. He alleged that this would limit India's ability to independently procure oil, including from Russia.

Rahul further alleged that imports from the US worth around Rs 9 lakh crore could enter India under the agreement, adding that no previous prime minister signed such a deal.

Rahul claimed that several documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case were yet to be made public and alleged that individuals close to Modi, including industrialist Anil Ambani and Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, were mentioned in them.

Rahul further referred to legal issues in the US involving industrialist Gautam Adani and alleged that the prime minister feared financial links connected to the BJP could be exposed. Rahul claimed that due to such pressures, Modi hurriedly agreed to the deal with the US and alleged that the US President publicly threatened to damage Modi's political career. Hence, Modi was compromised, he added.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !