New Delhi, 25 February (H.S.): Congress sharply criticized the US Commerce Department's decision to impose 125.87% duties on solar cells and panels imported from India, branding it a glaring flaw in the much-touted India-US trade agreement.

General Secretary Jairam Ramesh vented on X, calling the move bizarre and exposing the deal's one-sided reality. He noted PM Narendra Modi had hailed it for opening US markets to Indian exports, yet it permits US imports freely while presidential whim dictates India's outbound shipments.

Ramesh urged India to boldly halt the pact, warning of dire impacts on lakhs of farmers nationwide from its current form. The preliminary countervailing duties—citing unfair Indian subsidies—threaten to cripple solar exports valued at $792 million in 2024, reshaping renewable trade dynamics.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar