New Delhi : Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Modi government in Parliament. Opening his remarks with a strong political charge, Gandhi said,”… I am saying that you have sold India. Are you not ashamed of selling India? Do you have no shame in selling India? You have sold our mother, Bharat Mata. His remarks triggered protests from treasury benches as he questioned the government’s handling of strategic and trade issues.
Gandhi claimed that the government had compromised on key aspects of digital policy, arguing that India’s data is its most valuable 21st-century asset. “… The thing that is going to transform India in the 21st century, the thing that is going to make us a superpower in the 21st century, this is what the Modi government has done with our data. We give up control over our digital trade rules. Number two, there is no need for data localisation. Number three, free data flow to the United States. Number four, limit on digital tax.
“… The thing that is going to transform India in the 21st century, the thing that is going to make us a superpower in the 21st century, this is what the Modi government has done with our data. We give up control over our digital trade rules. Number two, there is no need for data localisation. Number three, free data flow to the United States. Number four, limit on digital tax. Number five, no need to disclose any source code.
Outlining what he said would be the INDIA alliance’s approach to negotiations with US President Donald Trump, Gandhi said, “President Trump, if you want access to this data, then please understand that you are going to talk to us as an equal. You’re not going to talk to us as if we are your servants. Second thing we would say is Mr Trump, please understand that our energy security is our energy security. No matter what happens, we are going to protect our energy security.
He added, “If the INDIA alliance was negotiating with President Trump. I will tell you what we would say. The first thing we would say is President Trump, the most important thing in this equation is Indian data… But please remember that if you want to protect your dollar, the biggest asset that can protect your dollar is lying with the Indian people.” And further asserted, “… One thing I would like to make clear, in a contest between the US and China, the single most valuable asset is Indian data. If the Americans want to remain a superpower, and if the Americans want to protect their dollar, the key to that is Indian data…”
Gandhi’s remarks come amid ongoing political sparring over India’s trade negotiations with the United States, digital governance framework, and strategic autonomy in foreign policy. The government has defended its trade and digital policies as necessary to boost investment and strengthen global partnerships.
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