Rahul Gandhi attacks BJP-led govt over US reciprocal tariff rate, China

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday warned that United States (US) President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 27% reciprocal tariff rate against India poses a risk for the Indian agriculture, auto, and pharmaceutical industries, as he attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government’s foreign policy.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (PTI)

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he said the tariffs would lead to the “devastation” of the economy. He referred to an event marking the 75 years of India-China diplomatic ties and said he was shocked to see the Indian foreign secretary cutting a cake with the Chinese ambassador there.

“The question is, what exactly is happening to the territory [the Chinese occupy]?” ...Is our foreign secretary celebrating the martyrdom of 20 Army personnel?” he said, referring to the Galwan clash with Chinese troops that left 20 Indian soldiers dead in June 2020. He claimed China has occupied 4,000 square kilometers of the Indian territory.