EXCLUSIVE: Calling India a dead economy insults its people, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman in swipe at Rahul Gandhi

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assured complete transparency on the India–U.S. trade agreement, saying the country will soon know exactly what it is offering, what it is receiving in return, the timelines for implementation and the level of reciprocity involved.In an exclusive interview with Times Network Group Editor-in-Chief Navika Kumar on Times Now, Sitharaman responded to growing political and public curiosity over the deal, especially after reports suggested tariffs were cut from 50 per cent to about 18 per cent, with limited clarity on the broader framework.“So far, people are reacting without even seeing the agreement,” the finance minister said, adding that the opposition, stakeholders and citizens have every right to ask questions, but should also wait for official disclosures from the government.She referred to statements coming out of Washington that spoke about wider access for American agricultural products, possible changes in India’s crude oil sourcing away from Russia, and the US and Venezuela emerging as major suppliers. Sitharaman said such remarks naturally raise concerns at home, but stressed that conclusions should not be drawn before Parliament is formally briefed.“The Leader of the Opposition, opposition parties and the people of India are right to seek answers. But would you wait for the reply from the minister concerned?” she said, noting that the Commerce Minister was preparing to present a suo motu statement in the House.Sitharaman criticised the tendency to speculate without seeing the actual text of the agreement. “Without listening to the minister, people start giving misleading impressions as if they have already read the deal. Have they even seen it?” she asked, underlining that the Commerce Minister is the authority responsible for presenting the framework.She acknowledged that an early briefing offered only broad assurances, such as protecting India’s agriculture and dairy sectors, but clarified that those were not the final contours of the agreement.“These are not closed files. This is a public document. You will know what India is giving, what it is taking, what reciprocity means, how much export access our products get and what we are importing,” Sitharaman said.The finance minister added that the deal would also outline phased timelines. Some provisions would come into force immediately once the agreement is implemented, while others may be rolled out after one year, two years or in stages.Addressing criticism that the government spoke to the media before Parliament, Sitharaman said the Centre is always ready to respond, provided the opposition is willing to listen. Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s comments on national security, the trade deal and global issues, she said a Leader of the Opposition is entitled to raise questions, but they must be grounded in facts rather than insinuations.“Even if there is a doubt, we are prepared to answer, if the intention is to hear the reply,” she said.She also pointed to frequent disruptions in Parliament, saying meaningful discussion becomes difficult when proceedings are stalled. “At times the Prime Minister is not even allowed to speak because of continuous noise and disruptions in the House,” she added.Reiterating the government’s stand, Sitharaman said transparency would not be compromised.“Everything will be known, what India gives, what it gets, the timelines and the reciprocity. Nothing about the deal will remain hidden,” she said in the exclusive Times Now interview.