Congress Critiques Modi Government Over Trump’s Tariff Comments
The Congress Party has accused the Modi government of weakening India’s global position after President Trump claimed India agreed to cut tariffs. The party demands a strong governmental response to safeguard economic interests, criticizing perceived subservience abroad. Meanwhile, discussions on a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement with the U.S. aim to enhance trade relations.
The Congress Party has criticized the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for allegedly compromising India’s position on the world stage following comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding tariffs. During a press conference, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera asserted that strong leadership should be exemplified through India’s historical assertiveness, referencing the 1971 liberation war and the Pokhran nuclear tests.
President Trump claimed that India had imposed significant tariffs on American goods and suggested that India was now willing to reduce those tariffs. His remarks were made during a White House press briefing, coinciding with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Washington for discussions on a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The Indian government has not yet issued an official response regarding any changes to tariff policy.
Opposition leaders are pressing the government to respond decisively to Trump’s remarks on India’s tariff policies. Khera criticized the Prime Minister’s perceived submissiveness abroad, stating, “the PM acts like a lion in India, roaring at us, but turns into a lion made of mud when he visits foreign countries and remains silent.”
Khera further lamented that Indian citizens should not be informed about their country’s tariff decisions through remarks made by President Trump. He emphasized that safeguarding the economic interests of the Indian populace is the Prime Minister’s responsibility. Additionally, he expressed Congress’s willingness to support the government should it take a firm stance against the criticism from Trump.
In conjunction with these discussions, U.S. officials have remarked on India’s high tariffs compared to global standards, urging New Delhi to evaluate its trade policies in the context of strengthening bilateral ties. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the potential advantages of the proposed BTA, which aims to enhance trade relations by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers while promoting supply chain integration.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the MEA, outlined the objectives of the discussions as a means of deepening India-U.S. trade relations, thus underscoring the importance of the proposed agreement.
The Congress Party’s criticism of the Modi government highlights concerns regarding India’s international standing following comments from President Trump about tariffs. The call for stronger communication on tariff policies and a robust response from the government reflects ongoing tensions in trade relations with the U.S. The proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement represents an opportunity to enhance economic ties, but it is imperative for the government to navigate this landscape while safeguarding national interests.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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