Congress questions transparency in India-U.S. trade talks after Trump remarks

Jairam Ramesh says key policy decisions affecting India now being announced from Washington, seeks clarity from Prime Minister

Taking a dig at the Union government over U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest remarks regarding a forthcoming trade agreement with India, the Congress on Friday (June 27, 2025) alleged that decisions of national importance are increasingly being revealed not from New Delhi, but from the White House.

The principal Opposition party’s criticism came hours after Mr. Trump hinted at the possibility of a significant breakthrough in the long-pending bilateral trade negotiations between the two countries.

“We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we’re going to open up India,” the U.S. President said while addressing the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ event at the White House.

Responding to Mr. Trump’s statement, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh posted on social media platform X, “After repeating 16 times that he used a trade deal as an instrument to bring about a ceasefire between India & Pakistan, President Trump has now announced that such an India-US trade agreement is going to be signed in the next few days. He calls [it] a ‘very big deal.’ It better be – given that it led to the abrupt end of Operation Sindoor.”

“As is now becoming evident, India has to get to know decisions of great importance to it from the White House in Washington DC,” he added.

Mr. Trump’s remarks come as India’s negotiation team, led by Chief Trade Negotiator Rajesh Agarwal, arrived in Washington on Thursday for the next round of talks. Both sides are working to conclude an interim trade agreement before the July 9 deadline. The Trump administration had earlier suspended the unilateral tariffs announced on April 2 until that date.

“What is big about it? Are we opening up our agriculture? Are we opening up our small and medium industry? Are we liberalising imports from America? What are we doing? What is this deal? Why do we have to listen to a ceasefire and trade agreement from Washington? Why isn’t the Prime Minister taking the Parliament into confidence?” Mr. Ramesh asked.