Deal puts India at disadvantage with Bangladesh, says Gandhi; Dubey challenges him to debate

Dubey recalls fate of Substantive Motion against Indira Gandhi:

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Amid the ongoing political slugfest over the India-US trade deal, a day after he met farmer leaders, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday again launched asharp attack on the Narendra Modi government, claiming that the agreement will “destroy” India’s textile industry as well as its cotton farmers.

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modiand the Centre of “misleading” the country with regard to the tariff provisions in the deal, Gandhi said while Indian madetextile imports to the US face an 18 per cent tariffs, exports from Bangladesh have zero tariffs, provided that Dhaka imports US-made cotton.

“TfIndiaimports American cotton, our own farmers will be ruined. If we don’t, our textile industry will fall behind and be devastated.

“And now Bangladesh is indicating that it may reduce oreven stopimporting cotton from India” he said.

Narendra “Surrender” Modi and his ministers have made anagreement that could deeply damage both sectors, he said. Tariff structure under the agreement has placed India at a disadvantage compared to Bangladesh, he argued, evoking a sharp reply from BJP leaders.