Activists from the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) staged a demonstration at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi during the ongoing AI Impact Summit, while the protesters expressed their opposition to the proposed trade deal between India and the United States by removing their shirts and raising slogans. Some activists were seen wearing t-shirts featuring the photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following the incident, security personnel and Delhi Police intervened immediately to remove the protesters from the high-security venue. According to police officials, five individuals have been detained in connection with the protest, and legal proceedings have been initiated against them.
Details of the Protest and Police Detention
The protest occurred at a time when Bharat Mandapam was hosting international delegates for the AI summit. The Delhi Police are currently investigating the security breach to determine how the activists managed to enter the restricted premises, while authorities are verifying whether the protesters used official entry passes or gained access through QR codes. The five detained individuals are being interrogated to uncover the planning behind the demonstration. Police officials stated that they're taking legal action regarding the incident, emphasizing that such disruptions at international venues are viewed with gravity.
Allegations by Indian Youth Congress
The Indian Youth Congress took to its official social media platforms to justify the protest, claiming that the demonstration was intended to expose what they termed as a 'compromised' foreign policy. The organization alleged that the central government is acting under corporate pressure regarding the India-US trade negotiations. In their statement, the IYC claimed that the protest at the AI Summit was a move to highlight their concerns about national dignity and economic interests. They asserted that the silence and corporate influence on foreign policy necessitated such a public display of dissent.
BJP's Response to the Demonstration
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reacted strongly to the incident, describing it as an attempt to embarrass India on the global stage. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP's IT cell, stated that while political protest is a democratic right, damaging India's global image is unacceptable. BJP leaders criticized the Congress leadership, alleging that such actions reflect a lack of respect for the country's international standing. The party maintained that at a time when India is gaining global prominence, such 'shameful' protests by Youth Congress workers only serve to project a negative image of the nation to the international community.
Status of the India-US Interim Trade Agreement
The core issue behind the protest is the upcoming interim trade agreement between India and the United States. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal recently indicated that the agreement is likely to be signed in March and could be implemented by April. A three-day meeting between Indian and American officials is scheduled to begin on 23 February in the United States to finalize the legal text of the deal. Earlier this month, both nations issued a joint statement confirming that the framework for the interim trade agreement had been successfully finalized, marking a significant step in bilateral economic relations.
Timeline for Other Free Trade Agreements
According to officials from the Ministry of Commerce, India is also in advanced stages of finalizing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with several other nations. Minister Piyush Goyal noted that trade agreements with the United Kingdom (UK) and Oman are expected to be implemented by April. On top of that, negotiations with New Zealand are progressing, with an agreement anticipated to come into effect by September, while the government has stated that these trade deals are part of a broader strategy to enhance Indian exports and integrate the domestic economy more deeply into global value chains.