After a prolonged standoff in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi participated in the debate on Budget 2026 in the Lok Sabha today. The Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha began his speech by referring to martial arts. He said that grip is visible in Jiu-Jitsu, but not in politics. He stated that where the choke is being applied, where the force is being applied, is not visible in politics. He then spoke on the budget, the recent trade deal with the US, and global issues.
Referring to the Union Budget and the Economic Survey presented by the Finance Ministry, he said, "I was looking at the Economic Survey. I noticed two points. First, we live in a world where geopolitical rivalry is increasing. That is, the US-based system is being challenged. Now Russia and China are challenging it again. Second, we live in a world where energy and finance have been weaponized."
The challenges facing the country's 1.4 billion people are different.
Rahul Gandhi said that we are moving from a world of stability to a world of instability. The Prime Minister and the NSA shockingly stated some time ago that the time for war was over. But the conflict in Ukraine continues, and there's conflict in Iran. This means we're moving from stability to instability. Referring to several other global issues, Rahul Gandhi said that the challenges facing India's 1.4 billion people today are quite different.
Rahul Gandhi said, "We conducted Operation Sindoor. So we're moving into a world of instability. The dollar is being challenged. As my friends on the other side understand, the main game is that the dollar is being challenged. America's dominance is being challenged. We're moving from a world of one superpower to a new world, one we can't truly predict."
What did Rahul Gandhi say about AI?
On the other hand, the dollar is being challenged. American supremacy is being challenged. Now we're moving into an era of two superpowers, or even multiple superpowers. The Economic Survey is correct. At the center of all this is the era of AI. Everyone is saying we are entering the age of AI. One consequence of AI is that the IT ecosystem built by Congress will be challenged. It will be challenged. AI will replace many engineers.
We are data-driven: Rahul Gandhi
In his speech, Rahul Gandhi said, "So, I want to tell the House that the strength of our sectors lies in our own people. 1.4 billion people are brilliant, energetic, and intelligent. They can challenge anyone. But it's not just people. We also have a huge pool of data. Everyone talks about AI, but talking about AI is like talking about an engine; it's also important to talk about its fuel—data. That is, if you don't have fuel—data—then AI is useless. Currently, the world has two data pools: India's data pool (1.4 billion people) and China's (which has a similar population). This means we are data-driven."
"The Budget Doesn't Address Today's Challenges"
Rahul Gandhi further stated that our second strength is our farmers, who provide food. We have abundant food. Third, we need energy to run the country. Protecting these three is the most pressing need of modern times. The Budget does recognize these things. It states that we are entering dangerous times. It knows that the geopolitical situation is becoming dangerous. Energy and finance are being weaponized. But the Budget offers no solution to this. The Budget is just like any other budget. It provides nothing for their protection. The Budget doesn't address today's challenges at all.
Our Data Is the Most Important Thing for America
Regarding the recent trade agreement with the United States, Rahul Gandhi said that something else has happened parallel to the Budget: the US-India trade deal. Today, India's data is the only difference in the conflict between the US and China. If the Americans want to remain a superpower and protect their dollar, the most important thing for them is our data. Even if you add up all that data, it still can't compete with China's 1.4 billion people. So, if India is going to come to the table for a compromise, we need to bring this up. But when we go to the table, we put our own people on it.
Indians have the most important asset to protect the dollar.
He said that it used to be said that a growing population is a burden. But it's the biggest asset. What's surprising to me is that if we were negotiating a deal with the US and talking to Trump, we would have said, "President Trump, the most important thing in this entire conversation is India's data. You want to protect the dollar. We are your friends, we will help you. But remember, we Indians have the most important asset to protect your dollar. That is data. You must negotiate with us on equal terms. You cannot bully us. The second thing we talk about is our energy security. And no matter what happens, we will protect our energy security. We understand that you want to protect your farmers, but we want to do the same. The India Coalition says that data is our greatest strength. Now talk. We are not equal to Pakistan in this matter."
Gave America control over our data trade: Rahul Gandhi
On the trade deal, he further said, "You have made a good deal." Let's examine what the government has done with the very thing that could make India a superpower in the 21st century. The Modi government has given the US control over our data trade. It has granted the US unfettered access. The US has now been granted the exemption of withholding any source code.
Rahul lashes out at the government over Trump tariffs
Rahul Gandhi said that initially, the US imposed a three percent tariff on us, but now it imposes an 18 percent tariff. Our imports from the US are about to increase from $46 billion to $146 billion. They have made no commitments to us. We have made several commitments to them. Our tariffs have increased, while their tariffs have fallen from 16 to zero. I believe that the people sitting before us want to protect the country, and they also want to protect our data. They know that India's greatest asset is our people, and therefore, their data is our greatest security.
America decides from whom we buy oil.
Rahul Gandhi further said that our powerful textile industry is facing an 18% tariff. If Bangladesh imports cotton from America, it will be subject to zero tariff. This means our textile industry is gone. Now America decides from whom we buy oil. America decides who Russia and Iran will buy from, not our Prime Minister.
You have sold out India, Rahul's strong attack
Rahul Gandhi further said on the trade deal that you have opened India's markets to American farmers to crush our farmers. This means we are facing a storm. You are accepting this. What does it mean for America to tell us from whom we will buy oil and from whom we will not? What does it mean if America tells us when such tariffs on you will increase and when they will decrease? This means they have weaponized energy and finance. How can you come to this House and talk about this trade deal?
Rahul Gandhi attacked the government, asking, "Aren't you ashamed?" I'm saying you've sold India. You've sold our Mother India. Aren't you ashamed? The Prime Minister sold India because he's been choked. His neck is choked, so he's selling the country. Fear is visible in the PM's eyes. One is the Epstein case.
Anil Ambani was also mentioned.
Rahul Gandhi further said, "Anil Ambani is a businessman. My question is, why he's not in jail. He's not in jail because his name is in the Epstein files. I want to ask Hardeep Puri, who introduced Anil Ambani to Epstein. He's a minister. Anil Ambani is involved in our defense industry. He faces criminal charges." He told the Speaker, "You're a former Congress member, I'm going to do you a favor. I know your heart is with the Congress party. Your heart is not with that party (BJP). In the interest of our conversation, I won't mention Epstein, Anil Ambani, or the others."
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