India-US Trade Deal Sparks Uncertainty: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Seeks Clarity

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has raised concerns over the India-US trade deal, citing the lack of transparency and clarity from the government. The deal, announced after a phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, has sparked uncertainty over its terms and implications. According to Tharoor, the government has not shared sufficient details of the agreement with Parliament or the public, relying on limited information from Trump's tweets and press statements. The Congress MP has expressed concerns over claims that India will purchase $500 billion worth of US goods and open its markets to American agricultural products, which he believes could have a significant impact on Indian farmers. Tharoor has emphasized the need for the government to take Parliament into confidence and clearly explain the terms of the agreement. He has also criticized the BJP for failing to provide answers to the Congress's questions, describing this as the core issue at the heart of the controversy. The US has announced tariff cuts on Indian goods to 18 per cent, while Trump has claimed that India has agreed to cut tariffs and non-tariff barriers on US goods to zero. However, the Indian government has stopped short of endorsing these claims, confirming only the tariff reduction. Prime Minister Modi has welcomed the agreement, describing it as a 'wonderful announcement' that will strengthen cooperation between India and the United States. However, the lack of clarity and transparency surrounding the deal has raised concerns among opposition parties and experts, who are calling for a more detailed explanation of its terms and implications.