Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi delivered a combative speech in the Lok Sabha during the Union Budget 2026 discussion in Lok Sabha, accusing the Central government of compromising national interests and failing to prepare India for an increasingly volatile global order.
“You have sold India, is there no shame in selling India. Is there no shame? You have sold our Bharat Mata,” Gandhi said at the session.
His remarks, which included pointed references to trade, energy security, and foreign policy, triggered loud protests from treasury benches and led to heated exchanges in the House.
Questioning the government’s strategic direction, Rahul Gandhi alleged that key decisions on tariffs, trade, and energy had weakened India’s autonomy on the global stage further arguing that the country’s economic and geopolitical leverage was being diluted. The sharp criticism sparked immediate objections from ruling party members, creating tense scenes during the debate.
Focusing on the Union Budget itself, Gandhi said it acknowledges global risks but fails to provide clear solutions. He noted that the Budget recognises how energy and finance are increasingly being used as geopolitical tools, yet does not lay out concrete steps to shield India’s economy. According to him, the absence of a roadmap to protect against external economic pressure is a major concern amid rising global conflict and uncertainty.
“What does it mean when America says you cannot buy oil from somebody? It means our energy is weaponised,” he mentioned in his argument.
Speaking about national resilience in turbulent times, he stressed that India must safeguard three core pillars. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi told the Lok Sabha, in turbulent global conditions, three essentials must be protected, people and their data, food supply, and energy systems. He argued that these pillars determine national resilience and strategic strength in an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment.
Gandhi also challenged the government’s foreign policy stance, asserting that India should maintain a clear distinction in its global positioning. LoP Rahul Gandhi stated in the Lok Sabha that India should never be equated with Pakistan in diplomatic or strategic matters.
“We will not be made equal to Pakistan,” he declared, highlighting India’s distinct global stature, economic power, and robust democratic framework. He added that if the United States chose to host Pakistan’s Army Chief for high-level engagements, India must respond firmly and assert its position.
On global conflicts, Gandhi countered Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier claim that the “era of war is over.” He argued that current geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts indicate the opposite, with energy and finance increasingly deployed as strategic tools by major powers. He stressed that India must prioritise energy security and shape its foreign policy around national interest and long-term strategic considerations.
"The main thing they are saying here is stability to a world of instability. Prime Minister stated, and NSA stated, shockingly, some time back, that the era of war is over. You can see war in Ukraine, war in Gaza, Middle East and Iran. We had Operation Sindoor, so we are moving towards a world of instability," LoP emmphasied.
India-US Trade deal ‘complete surrender’: RaGa
The Congress leader also launched a strong attack on the India-US trade agreement, calling it a “total surrender” and claiming it lacked economic logic. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi sharply criticised the India-US trade agreement in the Lok Sabha, calling it a “total surrender.” He said there was “no logic” in the deal and alleged that India had conceded too much without securing proportionate gains. He further alleged in the House that the agreement amounted to a “complete surrender,” claiming it involved tariff reductions, data concessions, long tax holidays for foreign firms, and exposure of Indian farmers and key sectors to global competition.
Adding to the charged atmosphere, Gandhi referred to the “Epstein files” during his speech, alleging that they exposed links between Jeffrey Epstein and businessman Anil Ambani. The reference drew immediate and sharp protests from treasury benches, with several members objecting to its inclusion during a Budget debate.
Taken together, Gandhi’s remarks framed the Budget as insufficient for the current geopolitical moment and called for a sharper focus on national resilience, economic sovereignty, and strategic independence. His speech set the tone for a contentious debate in Parliament over the government’s economic and foreign policy choices in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
