Opposition leader raises concerns over farmers, energy and data sovereignty
February 20, 2026: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has launched a sharp attack on the reported trade agreement between India and the United States, questioning the government’s rationale and invoking a “Jiu-Jitsu analogy” he used during his Parliament speech. In a social media post, Gandhi posed a series of pointed questions, asking why India appeared to concede more than it gained under the proposed arrangement.
The Congress leader expressed concern over the possible impact on Indian farmers, asking whether they had been “sacrificed to please the Americans.” He also questioned whether India’s energy security had been compromised by allowing the US to influence oil supply decisions. Gandhi further sought clarification on why India would agree to increase US imports by $100 billion annually without what he described as a clear reciprocal commitment.
Raising broader strategic concerns, Gandhi warned that the agreement could risk turning India into a “data colony,” pointing to issues of digital and economic sovereignty. He also questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi would accept a deal “where India gives so much and appears to get so little,” suggesting that unseen pressures may have influenced the decision.