New Delhi: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday claimed that China had taken over 4,000 square kilometre of Indian territory and that reciprocal tariffs or import duties imposed by the US would “completely devastate” the Indian economy, as he demanded answers from the government over these issues.
Speaking during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi slammed the government over the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and China.
“China is sitting on 4,000 square kilometres of our territory. I was shocked some time back to see that our foreign secretary (Vikram Misri) was cutting a cake with the Chinese ambassador. The question is- what exactly is happening to this territory of 4,000 sq km that China has taken?” the former Congress president said.
Soon after Rahul Gandhi’s remark, Union Minister Anurag Thakur attacked the Congress leader and schooled him that politicising the India-China issue in Lok Sabha would not yield anything.
The Opposition parties are also questioning the central government over its next course of action regarding Trump’s tariff announcement and have demanded a discussion on the issue in parliament.
Meanwhile, the government has responded saying that the Department of Commerce is carefully examining the implications of the various measures and announcements made by President Trump.
“Keeping in view the vision of Viksit Bharat, the Department is engaged with all stakeholders, including Indian industry and exporters, taking feedback of their assessment of the tariffs and assessing the situation. The Department is also studying the opportunities that may arise due to this new development in the US trade policy,” the government statement read.
Opposition Attacks Government
Aaditya Thackeray, son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), attacked the government over reciprocal tariffs and accused the Centre of trying to divert everybody’s attention from the issue with the Waqf bill.
Taking to X, Thackeray said, “The reciprocal tariffs. Most countries are debating their way forward with the kind of impact it will have on their economy and country. Our country’s union government has kept everyone busy on another issue altogether. Seems like the coping mechanism of the BJP’s government is controversy and dividing the country.”
He further asked Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to make a detailed statement on reciprocal tariffs- the impact and reaction – in the Parliament. He suggested that the government discuss the issue in the Parliament.
“This is a national challenge very badly managed by the BJP’s government. They could have also discussed this earlier. The kind of economy India has – the impact of these tariffs on our economy, jobs, businesses, youth, the impact will be tremendous. Yet the government chooses to maintain silence. You don’t have to speak against anyone, just tell us how we, as a nation, will cope with the challenge,” he added.
