India-US trade: What Rahul Gandhi said about America's zero tariff on Bangladesh
Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the central government of deceiving cotton farmers and textile exporters on the India-US trade deal.
He said the Prime Minister and his cabinet are lying and spreading confusion.
Rahul Gandhi said, "Bangladesh is being given the benefit of a 0% tariff on garment exports to the US. The only condition is that it imports American cotton. After the announcement of an 18% tariff on Indian garments, when I questioned the special concessions being given to Bangladesh in Parliament, a minister in the Modi government responded, 'If we also want this benefit, we will have to import cotton from the US.'"
Rahul Gandhi questioned this policy, saying, "If we import American cotton, our own farmers will be ruined. If we don't, our textile industry will be devastated and destroyed. And now Bangladesh is indicating that it may reduce or even stop cotton imports from India."
The Congress leader said that the textile industry and cotton cultivation are the backbone of livelihoods in India. The livelihoods of millions of people depend on them.
He said that the government should protect the interests of both cotton farmers and textile exporters. However, the India-US agreement could prove to be "deeply damaging" to both sectors.
Rahul said a visionary and nationalist government would have struck a deal that would protect the interests and ensure prosperity of both cotton farmers and textile exporters.