In Rajya Sabha, TDP MP seeks clarity on India-U.S. trade deal

Opposition parties walked out of the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday (February 3, 2026), accusing the government of failing to communicate the details of the India-U.S. trade deal, which, they noted, was first announced by Washington before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media post. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), an NDA ally, also sought clarification, pointing out that while U.S. President Donald Trump referred to a reciprocal tariff adjustment, he did not explicitly confirm the withdrawal of the 25% punitive duty.

Speaking during Zero Hour in the Upper House, TDP member Beeda Masthan Rao Yadav said the government should press the U.S. administration for an official notification announcing the withdrawal of the punitive duty.

Lauding Mr. Modi and the NDA Government for “proactive diplomatic engagement” with the U.S. that yielded “tangible results”, Mr. Yadav said, “The announcement on February 2, 2026, of an understanding to reduce the reciprocal tariff from 25% to 18% is a significant relief for Indian exporters and a strong signal of India’s growing stature in global trade negotiations.”

However, he flagged the continuing uncertainty due to the absence of a formal notification from the U.S. Government. He noted that so far, only public statements had been made by both sides with no formal documentation. He added that while Mr. Trump’s statement referred to the reciprocal tariff, it did not explicitly confirm the withdrawal of the 25% punitive duty.

Mr. Yadav further pointed out that U.S. Customs entry documents showed two separate duty codes — one for the reciprocal tariff and another for the Russia–India punitive levy, each reviewed independently until further legal clarification is issued. “I therefore appeal to the government to continue an intense dialogue with the U.S. administration to secure the formal withdrawal of the punitive duty,” the TDP MP said.

After Zero Hour, Congress chief whip in the Upper House, Jairam Ramesh, said Indians heard about the deal from Mr. Trump rather than from their own government. Congress and other Opposition MPs joined him in seeking clarification and raised slogans accusing the government of bartering India’s interests.

Leader of the House J.P. Nadda informed the House that the government would make a statement on the issue. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal addressed a press conference but did not give a statement in Parliament.

Mr. Nadda criticised the Opposition’s protest, accusing them of “seeing bad even in good things”. Opposition MPs, except those from the Trinamool Congress, walked out. Mr. Nadda further added, “Their interest is only in creating politics out of everything, and we saw an example of that just now. They are trying to create an atmosphere in the country as if the government is hiding something and is avoiding a discussion.”