Thiruvananthapuram, March 7: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “succumbing” to pressure from former US President Donald Trump, alleging that recent commitments to the United States have compromised India’s farmers, energy independence and data sovereignty. Gandhi made the remarks at the concluding function of a statewide yatra led by Kerala Opposition leader V. D. Satheesan.
Gandhi said the Prime Minister had effectively opened key sectors of the Indian economy to American interests, a move he warned would have severe consequences for India’s agrarian sector. “No Prime Minister before Narendra Modi opened India’s agriculture to the United States. Large, mechanised American corporations will now compete with our farmers, small traders, and local businesses. The result will be devastating for the agrarian economy,” he alleged.
He also criticised what he described as commitments in the energy sector, claiming that India had tied its oil purchases to US approval. “Imagine a country as powerful as India having to seek permission before buying oil from Russia. That is what Narendra Modi has agreed to,” Gandhi said, arguing the deal undermines India’s energy autonomy.
Data sovereignty was another major concern raised by Gandhi. He characterised the information produced by India’s 1.4 billion people-medical records, travel histories and consumer data-as a national resource and said the agreement had opened the door for American companies to access that data at a time when artificial intelligence increases its value.
Gandhi further alleged that India had committed to importing goods worth billions of dollars from the US under the agreement and suggested such decisions were made under extraordinary pressure. “No Prime Minister of India would have signed such a deal unless there was extraordinary pressure,” he said, adding, “You can see videos where Donald Trump openly threatens Narendra Modi, saying he can destroy his career. The reality today is that Modi has succumbed to Trump.”
Speaking about Kerala’s global links, Gandhi described the State as a “global idea,” noting the millions of Malayalis working abroad-particularly in the Gulf-whose remittances underpin the local economy. He cited Thiruvananthapuram-born cricketer Sanju Samson as an example of Kerala’s international presence.
Warning that the world is entering an unstable phase amid tensions between the United States and Iran, Gandhi urged caution, saying India must act carefully to safeguard its people and national interests.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/03/07/rahul-gandhi-warns-of-threat-to-indias-farmers-data-and-energy-security/
Category: NATIONAL,News Alert
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Publish Date: 2026-03-07 21:10:00
