New Delhi/IBNS: Chaos erupted at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 after several leaders of the Indian Youth Congress staged a dramatic protest against the framework of the India-US trade agreement, media reports said.
A group of men allegedly entered the venue, removed their shirts and T-shirts, and began shouting slogans opposing the agreement.
The incident triggered sharp political reactions, with reports claiming that at least 10 protesters were detained.
AI Summit के चमकदार मंच के पीछे सच दबाया नहीं जा सकता.. जब देशहित से ऊपर कॉरपोरेट हित दिखें और विदेश नीति में नरमी साफ नजर आए, तब विरोध कर्तव्य बन जाता है!
— Indian Youth Congress (@IYC) February 20, 2026
इसीलिए भारतीय युवा कांग्रेस के जाबांज कार्यकर्ताभारत मंडपम पहुँचे.. ताकि “Compromised PM” के खिलाफ आवाज़ बुलंद हो और देश… pic.twitter.com/vTCCMgd0PK
Slamming the protest, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav accused the Congress of attempting to sabotage India’s global image.
In a post on X, Yadav wrote: “Absolute shamelessness from Congress! At a time Bharat is taking strides positioning itself as a global technology powerhouse, Congress is going all out to embarrass the country. This is not political opposition, this is an attempt at sabotaging India's global image. Despicable.”
Absolute shamelessness from Congress!
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) February 20, 2026
At a time Bharat is taking strides positioning itself as a global technology powerhouse, Congress is going all out to embarrass the country.
This is not political opposition, this is an attempt at sabotaging India's global image.… pic.twitter.com/qxv0KCpkE1
Farmer organisations have raised concerns that the entry of cheaper American products into the Indian market could adversely affect domestic farmers.
Last week, India and the United States finalised a framework for an interim trade deal, days after US President Donald Trump announced the long-pending agreement, injecting fresh momentum into bilateral ties.
The framework was finalised after nearly a year of negotiations. Since taking office, Trump had adopted a tough stance on India over alleged unfair trade practices and its purchase of Russian oil.
As previously announced by Trump, the US has reduced the overall tariff on Indian goods from 50 per cent — comprising counter-tariffs and levies linked to Russian oil purchases — to 18 per cent, offering significant relief to Indian exporters.