Interim trade deal a surrender to U.S., PM must quit: Siddaramaiah

Terming the India-U.S. interim trade deal announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump as “surrender”, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said that by accepting these terms, Mr. Modi had weakened India’s independence and lowered the country’s standing in the world.

For the harm caused to India’s sovereignty and self-respect, a “compromised” Mr. Modi must take responsibility and immediately resign, he said

“It (trade deal) did not come from equal and fair negotiations, but followed tariff threats, pressure tactics and public warnings by the U.S. on India’s trade and energy choices. Yielding under such pressure is not diplomacy but surrender,” the Chief Minister, who launched a scathing attack on the Prime Minister, said in a statement.

“This is not free trade; it is economic coercion. The terms show why this framework is deeply unfair. U.S. leaders have openly said that this framework will benefit American farmers and rural America. At the same time, Indian agriculture stands to lose heavily. There are claims that India will import American goods worth $500 billion.”

Mr. Siddaramaiah said, “India accepted these terms because Mr. Modi reduced India to a position of weakness, where protecting himself mattered more than protecting the country. Serious legal cases involving his close friend Gautam Adani are ongoing in U.S. courts. At the same time, international disclosures linked to the Epstein files — official records connected to investigations into a convicted sex offender and his powerful global network — have surfaced, in which the names of Mr. Modi and a senior Union Minister have appeared. Even the possibility that such matters could be used to pressure India is deeply dangerous.” He pointed out that India’s global respect was built by leaders who stood firm under pressure and gave moral leadership through principle and courage.

The Chief Minister said, “He (Mr. Modi) reduced foreign policy to slogans, events, and personal image-building. When real pressure came from President Trump, there was silence. Serious questions have also been raised about PM Modi’s handling of China after disclosures from former Army chief General M. M. Naravane’s book that pointed to weak political leadership at crucial times. The same silence followed when Donald Trump repeatedly claimed credit for India–Pakistan ceasefire decisions.”

Further, Mr. Siddaramaiah said, “This is not a series of isolated failures but a clear pattern of surrender — on trade, diplomacy, and national security. A Prime Minister who exposes the nation to pressure, weakens farmers’ livelihoods, and damages India’s dignity cannot continue in office.”