The Congress on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address Parliament regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that India has agreed to significantly reduce its tariffs. The opposition party raised concerns about whether the interests of Indian farmers and manufacturers are being compromised in the process.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned the government’s stance, asking, “What has the Modi Government agreed to? Are the interests of Indian farmers and of Indian manufacturing being compromised? The PM must take Parliament into confidence when it resumes on March 10.”

On March 6, President Trump once again criticized India’s tariff regime, calling it “next to impossible” to sell goods to India due to its high import duties. However, he added that India has agreed to slash its tariffs “way down,” attributing the shift to increased scrutiny of its trade practices.

Ramesh shared a video of Trump’s remarks on X, highlighting the U.S. President’s comments. In the clip, Trump stated, “India charges us massive tariffs. You can’t even sell anything in India… It is restrictive. We do very little business inside. They’ve agreed. By the way, they want to cut their tariffs way down now because somebody is finally exposing them for what they’ve done.”

The Congress leader pointed out that Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is currently in Washington, D.C., for trade talks with the U.S. administration. Ramesh’s post on X questioned whether the Indian government had made concessions that could harm domestic industries.

Trump has been vocal about his administration’s plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries that levy high duties on American goods. He has criticized several nations, including Canada and Mexico, for what he describes as unfair trade practices.

In the video shared by Ramesh, Trump accused multiple countries of taking advantage of the U.S. “Our country, from an economic standpoint and a financial standpoint and a trade standpoint, has been absolutely ripped off by almost every country in the world — Canada, Mexico, and then you just go right down the line,” Trump said.

Both houses of Parliament are set to resume on March 10 for the second part of the budget session. The Congress has demanded that Prime Minister Modi provide clarity on the government’s negotiations with the U.S. and its implications for Indian farmers and manufacturers.

The controversy underscores the growing tensions in global trade relations, particularly between the U.S. and India. As the Modi government navigates these complex negotiations, the opposition is calling for transparency and accountability to ensure that domestic interests are safeguarded.

The Congress’s demand for a parliamentary discussion reflects the need for greater scrutiny of trade agreements that could have far-reaching consequences for India’s economy.

Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has applied to surrender his Indian passport, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that Modi, who is wanted in India for tax evasion and embezzlement cases, has acquired citizenship of Vanuatu, a South Pacific Ocean nation.

Modi, who has been living in London for over a decade, continues to evade extradition to India. Jaiswal stated that Modi’s application to surrender his Indian passport will be examined by the Indian High Commission in London. “We continue to pursue the case against him as required under law,” Jaiswal added.

India has repeatedly raised the issue of Lalit Modi and other declared fugitives, including Vijay Mallya, during bilateral consultations with the United Kingdom. Despite these efforts, Modi has remained in London, avoiding legal proceedings in India.

Vanuatu, known for its citizenship-by-investment program, reportedly offers citizenship for approximately $150,000. Modi’s acquisition of Vanuatu citizenship complicates India’s efforts to bring him back to face charges.

Lalit Modi is a controversial figure in Indian cricket and business circles. He founded the IPL in 2008, revolutionizing cricket as a global sports and entertainment phenomenon. However, his tenure was marred by allegations of financial irregularities, leading to his suspension from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2010.

Since then, Modi has faced multiple charges, including tax evasion, money laundering, and embezzlement. Indian authorities have been pursuing his extradition from the UK, where he has been residing since 2010.

Modi’s decision to acquire Vanuatu citizenship and surrender his Indian passport could further complicate legal proceedings. While India continues to pursue his extradition, the change in citizenship may provide Modi with additional legal protections under international law.

The case highlights the challenges India faces in extraditing high-profile individuals accused of financial crimes. It also underscores the growing trend of wealthy individuals acquiring citizenship in countries with favorable investment programs to evade legal consequences in their home countries.

The Indian government remains committed to pursuing the case against Modi. Jaiswal’s statement reaffirms India’s determination to bring him to justice, even as Modi seeks to distance himself from his Indian citizenship.

On March 8, 2025, in honour of International Women’s Day, the Central Railways made history by operating the Vande Bharat Express with an all-female crew for the very first time. This groundbreaking initiative saw the train, designated as 22223, journeying from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Shirdi, showcasing the capabilities and leadership of women in a traditionally male-dominated field.

The crew, comprised entirely of women, included a loco pilot, an assistant loco pilot, a train manager, ticket inspectors, and on-board catering staff. This symbolic gesture not only highlights the competence of female professionals in Indian Railways but also aims to inspire more inclusive practices within the industry.

Swapnil Nila, the Chief Public Relations Officer for Central Railways, elaborated on this milestone, mentioning that the initiative was also extended to freight trains, with an all-female crew operating goods trains. He emphasized the commitment of Indian Railways to empower women and make their work environments more accessible.

In a statement to ANI, Nila expressed hope that this initiative would pave the way for similar all-women crews on other Vande Bharat trains in the future. He stated, “On International Women’s Day, the CSMT-Shirdi Vande Bharat Express is running with a complete women crew, demonstrating the evolving role of women in our workforce.”

The Central Railways took to the social media platform X, celebrating this significant achievement as a “proud and historic moment.” Their post read, “HISTORIC MOMENT! For the first time, a Vande Bharat Express is operated entirely by women, celebrating their strength and leadership.” The commendation recognized the pivotal roles women play at Indian Railways.

On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the occasion by honoring ‘Nari Shakti.’ He acknowledged the invaluable contributions of women and announced that his social media accounts would be momentarily taken over by women from various sectors, highlighting their accomplishments.

Modi remarked, “We bow to our Nari Shakti on #WomensDay! Our government has always strived to empower women, and we remain committed to this goal.” The initiatives by both Central Railways and the Prime Minister underscore the importance of recognizing and celebrating women’s strength and achievements in society.