India, Feb. 16 -- Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Monday criticised the interim trade deal agreement between the United States and India alleging that the pact compromises India's farmers, energy security and national sovereignty.

Surjewala's comments came after the US and India announced a framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal, mutually beneficial trade.

Addressing a press briefing, Surjewala said, "Country's interest cannot be mortgaged for trade agreements," adding, "India's energy security cannot be compromised," while calling for a public debate on what he described as a deeply unequal deal.

Surjewala said the interim framework agreement announced earlier this month, allows duty-free imports of US agricultura...