Congress Takes Swipe at Modi, Questions U.S. Stance After India-US Trade Deal Falters

The Indian National Congress on Friday mounted a dual attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the United States following remarks that suggested the India–U.S. trade agreement collapsed due to insufficient leadership-level engagement.

Reacting to comments by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh shared a video message on social media using Bollywood references to mock the perceived deterioration in ties. He remarked that earlier public displays of camaraderie between leaders had given way to silence, suggesting a breakdown in diplomatic warmth.

Another senior Congress leader, Manish Tewari, strongly criticised the U.S. position, calling it a flawed understanding of international diplomacy. He said bilateral agreements cannot hinge on personal phone calls between leaders and stressed that India and the United States share a long-standing strategic and civilisational partnership extending well beyond individual administrations.

Tewari further argued that India’s strategic importance in the Asia-Pacific region has consistently anchored the bilateral relationship and cautioned against oversimplifying complex trade negotiations.

The controversy followed Lutnick’s assertion that the proposed trade deal did not materialise because Prime Minister Modi did not directly contact U.S. President Donald Trump. According to him, countries that moved faster in negotiations secured more favourable terms, while delays resulted in higher tariff rates.

Despite multiple rounds of negotiations beginning early last year, the two sides have yet to finalise an agreement. In the absence of a deal, steep U.S. tariffs on Indian goods, including penalties linked to India’s purchase of Russian energy, continue to remain in force.