New Delhi: The Lok Sabha witnessed intense debate as Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, and Anurag Thakur of the BJP clashed over the impact of US tariffs and India’s territorial disputes with China. Gandhi’s criticism centered on the potential economic devastation from US tariffs and the government’s handling of the China border issue.
Rahul Gandhi emphasized that the US’s decision to impose a 27% tariff on Indian exports would severely impact critical sectors such as auto manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. He lamented that such measures would “completely devastate” India’s economy, highlighting the urgency for a government response.
Gandhi accused the government of hypocrisy in celebrating diplomatic ties with China while 4,000 square kilometers of Indian land remain under Chinese occupation. He criticized the symbolic act of India’s foreign secretary cutting a cake with the Chinese ambassador, calling it a “celebration of martyrdom” for the Indian soldiers who died in the Galwan incident in 2020. Gandhi demanded that the government prioritize the return of Indian territory before pursuing normalcy with China.
Gandhi also questioned the government’s transparency, pointing out that Indians learned about official communications with China through the Chinese ambassador rather than Indian officials. This lack of direct communication raised concerns about accountability and transparency in India’s foreign policy dealings.
The US justified the tariffs by citing India’s high tariffs on American goods. This move has put pressure on the Indian government to reassess its trade policies and negotiate with the US to mitigate the economic impact.
In response, Anurag Thakur defended the current government’s stance on China, highlighting the effective military response during the Doklam standoff under Prime Minister Modi. Thakur criticized the past Congress governments for their handling of border disputes, suggesting that these issues originated during their tenure. He also raised questions about the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation’s alleged financial ties with China.
The exchange underscored deep political divisions, with Gandhi accusing the BJP and RSS of bowing to foreign interests, contrasting this with Indira Gandhi’s stance of standing firm on Indian interests. Thakur countered by blaming past Congress governments for current vulnerabilities.
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