Opposition, TDP urge Centre to brief Parliament on FTAs, foreign policy stance

Several floor leaders from both the Opposition, and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which is a key Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ally, urged the government to keep Parliament informed about the recently concluded Foreign Trade Agreements (FTAs), and ongoing negotiations with the United States, at the all‑party meeting chaired by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh ahead of the upcoming Budget session.

India on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) concluded negotiations with the European Union, and recently signed FTAs with the U.K., Singapore, and the UAE.

Opposition leaders also demanded a debate on India’s foreign policy, flagging what they described as “repeated humiliation” in response to statements by U.S. President Donald Trump. They further sought a “structured” debate on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and the new rural employment legislation —the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB‑G RAM G) Act, 2025.

However, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju ruled out debates on both the SIR, and the VB-G Ram G Act. “Once a law is before the nation, we have to follow it. We cannot reverse the gear,” Mr. Rijiju said. On the SIR, the Minister said that the previous session had witnessed “marathon discussions” on electoral reforms, with members given “ample time” to raise concerns. The issues could be raised during debates on the President’s address and the Budget, he said.

The TDP’s Lok Sabha floor leader, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, told the meeting that given the shifting global economic landscape, particularly under the new tariff regime imposed by the U.S., it was essential for Parliament to be updated on the FTAs the government had negotiated. Mr. Devarayalu also urged the government to bring legislation giving statutory backing to Amravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh. Such a Bill was likely to be brought during the Budget session, sources indicated.

“We wanted to take up three national issues and five issues related to Andhra Pradesh. The first national issue concerned FTAs signed by India, including the India-EU FTA…We wanted a discussion on this. Another issue we want to discuss is the social media ban for those under 16. If Australia can do it, why can’t India? The major State issue we want to take up is the Amaravati Capital Bill — we want Andhra Pradesh’s capital to have legislative backing,” the TDP leader said after the conclusion of the meeting. 

Several Opposition leaders, including John Brittas of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Kodikkunnil Suresh of the Congress, P. Sandosh Kumar of the Communist Party of India (CPI), Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party (SP), and Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), asked the government to explain its response to comments made by President Donald Trump.

They also questioned India’s “silence” regarding global conflicts, including issues related to Venezuela, the Israel‑Palestine conflict, and the U.S.’s purported claim over Greenland. “We want to discuss repeated humiliation by Donald Trump and the U.S. administration, and the silence of the Indian government with regard to things that are happening in global politics. What is the stand of the government regarding the Board of Peace, Palestine, Iran, Venezuela?” Mr. Brittas said.

The Trinamool Congress, other than asking for a debate on the SIR, which is underway in West Bengal, also raised the issue of dues owed to Opposition-ruled States, and the misuse of security agencies against Opposition parties. The government needs to listen to the Opposition and allow them time to raise issues, the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, Sagarika Ghosh, said in a post on social media platform X. “Parliament is NOT a one way street. Parliament is not a notice board for the government,” Ms. Ghosh said.

During the meeting, Congress’s Chief Whip in the Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh, and Mr. Brittas, also objected to the non‑circulation of government business for the session. Mr. Rijiju said the list would be shared in due course. “This is the first session of the year. Normally, the list is shared after the President’s address. However, I am prepared to share it; I have asked officers to do so,” Mr. Rijiju said, responding to a question on the issue. Running the House smoothly, he added, remained the government’s priority.

Mr. Rijiju also appealed for orderly conduct. “My sincere appeal is that while exercising our right to speak, we must also have the duty to listen to other honourable members,” the Minister said.

Published – January 27, 2026 12:20 pm IST