Rahul Gandhi Challenges Modi Over India-US Trade Deal and Israel Trip

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has renewed his offensive against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, challenging him to cancel the recently finalized India-US trade deal while criticizing the PM’s trip to Israel. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi wrote, “Narendra ‘Surrender’ Modi, it’s been over 24 hours since I challenged you to scrap the US Trade Deal – and you’ve once again slunk off to Israel in silence.”

Trade Deal Transparency Under Fire

Gandhi alleged that the trade deal was rushed through without proper Cabinet consultation, claiming it primarily benefits Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and industrialist Gautam Adani, whom he labeled the “BJP’s financial backbone.” He argued that the agreement, which had stalled for months, was suddenly finalized under suspicious circumstances that compromise India’s national interests.

Epstein Reference Sparks Further Controversy

In a pointed remark referencing earlier allegations, Gandhi questioned the motivations behind Modi’s Israel visit, asking “on whose orders” the PM would return after striking deals against India’s interests. The remarks drew sharp reactions across political circles, with the ruling BJP dismissing the allegations as baseless and politically motivated opposition tactics.

Gandhi’s criticism comes amid broader scrutiny of the India-US trade negotiations following the US Supreme Court’s ruling against President Donald Trump’s global tariff policies. The Congress party has consistently framed the agreement as a unilateral concession by the Modi government, demanding greater parliamentary oversight and public disclosure of the deal’s terms before any formal ratification.