Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday took a swipe at the government over its handling of trade negotiations with the United States, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would "meekly bow" to Washington’s tariff deadlines.
His comments came a day after Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal declared that India does not enter into trade agreements under time pressure or external deadlines.
Quoting a media report on the ongoing India-US trade discussions, Gandhi posted on X: “Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants, mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline.”
Goyal reiterates India's firm trade negotiation stance
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had on Friday stated that India’s trade policy is rooted in national interest and guided by the principle of mutual benefit.
"It should be a win-win agreement, and only when India's interests are safeguarded — national interest will always be supreme — and keeping that in mind, if a good deal is formed, India is always ready to engage with developed countries," Goyal said on the sidelines of the 16th Toy Biz B2B Expo in New Delhi.
Reiterating India’s consistent approach to trade talks, Goyal added, “India never enters into trade deals based on deadlines or time pressure. A deal is accepted only when it is fully matured, well-negotiated, and in the national interest.”
The minister confirmed that India is in discussions with several countries including the United States, the European Union, New Zealand, Oman, Chile, and Peru. However, he maintained that the mere number of negotiations underway does not imply haste.
"A Free Trade Agreement is only possible when there is mutual benefit," he said.
Focus on toy sector’s global potential
Addressing the Toy Biz Expo, Goyal also praised the progress of India's toy manufacturing industry. He said, “I am sure with the high quality goods I am seeing here, they will all be finding good market with the whole Gulf region, all the six countries of the Middle East, as they are today finding in nearly 153 countries in the world.”
He added that the government is planning more support for the sector: “We will soon be coming out also with the support program and incentive scheme to support the toy industry.”
Highlighting India’s domestic demand, Goyal said, “Considering that we have a market of 1.4 billion Indians who would like to use toys. At every age, there is a demand of toys.”
He called the toy sector “a growing sector which have eyes on the world,” underlining both its export and domestic potential.
Source Name : Economic Times