In a heated parliamentary session, Indian politician Rahul Gandhi criticized a proposed trade deal with the United States, asserting that it would have detrimental impacts on farmers in India. He pointed out concerning connections between a businessman mentioned in the Epstein case and the trade negotiations, arguing that this individual has faced serious criminal allegations yet has not faced imprisonment. Gandhi's remarks were met with rebuttals from Defense Minister Kiren Rijiju, who dismissed his claims as baseless accusations, leading to a back-and-forth between them and other party members.

Gandhi emphasized that the trade deal could exacerbate issues faced by Indian farmers, particularly due to the data sharing aspects with American firms. He suggested that this would compromise the interests of local agricultural workers by favoring external corporations. The debate highlighted growing tensions over foreign trade agreements and their impact on domestic industries, further fueling concerns among the farming community about how international trade policies could threaten their livelihoods.

This discussion is set against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny over Indian governmental policies concerning trade and foreign relations, especially in light of socioeconomic challenges posed by globalization. The clash between Gandhi and Rijiju reflects broader political divisions in India regarding the direction of the country's trade strategies, with implications for upcoming elections as the farmer's plight remains a critical issue on the national agenda.