Former Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader T S Singh Deo on Wednesday raised concerns over the India-US trade agreement, asking why visiting American officials were revealing negotiation details instead of the Indian government.
He called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to brief Parliament on the deal’s provisions before giving it formal approval.
In a post on X, Singh Deo took a swipe at the government over the reported progress in trade negotiations and referred to remarks by a visiting American official at a press conference in Mumbai.
He also questioned India's crude oil purchases and defence procurement, suggesting Washington was providing updates on India's economic and strategic decisions.
He said, “Good news, India. Our trade deal is almost done. How do we know? Not from Parliament. Not from our own govt. We heard it from a visiting American Secretary of State at a press conference in Mumbai. He also updated us on which crude we are ready to refine, how pleased Washington is with where we buy our oil, and which American defence systems we should buy next. Very thorough briefing. Our govt could take notes.”
The Congress leader further questioned the transparency of the negotiations, arguing that a trade agreement could affect farmers, small manufacturers and households.
Drawing a comparison with the Union Budget, Singh Deo criticised what he described as the government's failure to share information with Parliament and the public.
“At this rate the next Budget may be announced at a US press briefing, with our Finance Minister invited as a special guest. A trade deal decides the price farmers get for their crops, the margin of a small manufacturer and the cost of fuel for every family. These are not details a nation should learn from a foreign minister's travel diary. Will the Prime Minister tell Parliament what India is giving and what it is getting before he signs?” he added.
Deo's remarks come after United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the India-US trade deal is “incredibly close”, suggesting finalisation is expected soon.
US President Donald Trump also said India and the US are "pretty close" to reaching a trade deal, which will differ significantly from earlier pacts.
Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump said India and the US were pretty close to making a trade deal.
"They want to make a deal. We're going to make a deal. Pretty close, yeah," Trump said in response to a question.
(With inputs from ANI)
