'Sold Bharat Mata?' Rahul Gandhi's Fiery Speech Faces Pushback

A sharp political debate erupted after Rahul Gandhi attacked the India-US Interim Trade Deal in Parliament, alleging that the government had "sold Bharat Mata" and surrendered India's interests to the United States. The Congress hailed his speech as bold and hard-hitting, while the BJP dismissed it as high on theatrics but weak on facts. Critics argue that Gandhi's claims - particularly on data sovereignty and digital trade - rely on outdated frameworks. They contend that in the era of generative AI, cross-border data flows are essential for Indian startups to access global computing infrastructure and scale internationally. The broader debate now centres on whether the trade deal compromises sovereignty or strategically positions India within the global digital economy.