Centre To Brief Tharoor-Led Panel On India-US Trade Deal, Opposition Seeks Response On Russia Ties

Last Updated:February 09, 2026, 23:31 IST

Ahead of the meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a detailed briefing with NDA MPs on the committee, indicating the government's efforts to coordinate its stance

The foreign and commerce secretaries are both set to brief the Shashi Tharoor-led parliamentary committee on external affairs on India-US trade agreement, amid the opposition’s demands of more transparency on the framework.

The committee, which is chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, is scheduled to meet at 4.30 pm on Tuesday (February 10) for the high-level briefing by the ministries of external affairs and commerce.

The meeting is expected to be intense as opposition members seek urgent answers on the potential impact of US-led sanctions on India-Russia relations, specifically concerning the purchase of discounted crude oil. This comes as concerns grow over claims made by President Donald Trump that the deal will have India move to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to “zero".

Another point of contention during the discussion could be the potential opening of India’s agricultural sector to American exports, even though Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has assured that farming and dairy are “completely protected". While the deal reportedly reduces tariffs on Indian goods in the US to 18 percent, Washington has claimed that the arrangement will significantly boost its agricultural exports to New Delhi.

Ahead of the meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a detailed briefing with NDA MPs, who sit on the panel, indicating the government’s efforts to coordinate its stance.

According to a notice by the Lok Sabha secretariat dated February 4, the discussion on “current foreign policy developments" will also include India’s free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union and its relations with Bangladesh ahead of general elections in the politically volatile neighbouring country.

WHAT HAS SHASHI THAROOR SAID ABOUT THE DEAL?

Tharoor had reacted to the trade deal by saying if social media announcements are a substitute for formal parliamentary processes in a democracy.

“We have Mr Trump’s tweet and Mr Modi’s tweet; is that enough in a parliamentary democracy?" Tharoor had asked.

He had said the Centre must explain the deal’s contents to the people of the country. “Mr Trump says it’s for agriculture, so what are the protections for Indian farmers?" he had further asked.

He had questioned the scale of the commitment, noting that if the US expects $500 billion in trade, it would represent a massive portion of India’s total $700 billion import bill potentially forcing a halt to imports from other countries.

News india Centre To Brief Tharoor-Led Panel On India-US Trade Deal, Opposition Seeks Response On Russia Ties

Read More