NEW DELHI (February 12, 2026) – A fierce war of words erupted in the Lok Sabha today as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered a stinging rebuttal to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that the government had “sold Bharat Mata.”
Responding to the Union Budget debate, Sitharaman accused the Congress of historically compromising national interests, specifically citing the controversial 2009 Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Statement. “It was you who hyphenated India with Pakistan,” she remarked, referring to the UPA-era agreement that the BJP claims diluted India’s stance on terrorism.
Key Points of the Exchange
| Topic | Rahul Gandhi’s Allegation | Sitharaman’s Rebuttal |
| National Sovereignty | The government has “sold Bharat Mata” and opened doors to crush the poor. | No one has been born who can “sell India.” PM Modi would never do such a thing. |
| Trade Deals | Labeled the India-US trade deal “absurd,” claiming tariffs rose 6x for India while dropping to zero for the US. | Reminded Congress of the 2013 WTO Bali Agreement, alleging they sold out farmers’ interests. |
| Foreign Policy | Claimed the government should be “ashamed” of recent trade commitments. | Cited the Sharm el-Sheikh pact as evidence of Congress weakening India’s security position. |
The “Sharm el-Sheikh” Jab
Sitharaman’s reference to the 2009 meeting between Dr. Manmohan Singh and Yousaf Raza Gilani served to highlight what the BJP calls a “weak” response to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. She argued that those who negotiated away India’s leverage in Egypt are in no position to offer advice on modern negotiations.
Economic Clash over India-US Trade
The debate also centered on a provision requiring India to purchase $500 billion in US energy and tech products. While Gandhi called the deal “unequal” and harmful to farmers, the Treasury benches maintained that the current administration’s deals are built on a foundation of strength, unlike the “peace clauses” of the past.
