India-US Trade Deal: Modi Faces Heartburn in Core Support Base

The Modi government perception managers have a task cut out—find the narrative for India-US trade deal

By MANISH ANAND

New Delhi, February 12, 2026 — With the din in parliament going silent this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces the tough task to explain India-US trade deal to core support base of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Early signs signal a brewing firestorm of anguish among the core support base of the BJP over the details of India-US trade deal.

With the expanded network of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), India-US trade deal is dominating the discussion. The RSS and its various affiliates were outspoken in their support for an “Atmanirbhar Bharat.” But discussions now suggest that India-US interim trade deal is a least likely to enable an “Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

The BJP’s core support base is also squirming with the scope of concession granted to the US on agriculture. In the past, the Modi government’s efforts to push forward with the trials of GM Mustard were stonewalled by a spirited campaign emanating from within the RSS network. Finally, the Niti Aayog had to abandon the advocacy for the GM crops.

But India-US interim deal allows Washington to export agriculture produces. Concerns that the US will get to export processed GM crops is ringing alarm bells. Discussions within the saffron camp speak of disappointment.

Adding to discomfiture is the fear of a dent on ‘Brand Modi.’ Standing firm to America has been India’s political leadership test for decades. The BJP core support base had been sanguine with Modi for his assertion of a strategic autonomy during his visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit last year in September.

But the message spreading fast with Opposition fueled memes and cartoons spotlights the Modi government choosing the US over “trusted and reliable” Russia. Sputnik, a Russian media platform, is now bringing out contents critical of India-US interim trade deal. The Russian media is giving space to farmers’ representatives who are critical of the deal. Besides, Russian President Vladimir Putin ahs also expressed his annoyance.

Foreign policy has been at the core of political ‘Brand Modi.’ So far, the Modi government spokespersons have struggled to explain the gains for India from the interim India-US trade deal.

Now the first leg of the Budget session of parliament gets over where former Indian Army Chief Manoj Mukunda Naravane gained more limelight than Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Modi government perception managers have a task cut out—find the narrative for India-US trade deal.

India–US Interim Trade Deal: Euphoria Cracks as Fine Print Bites

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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