New Delhi, February 3 (IANS). After the tariff was reduced to 18 percent under the India-US trade agreement, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has called this decision a major achievement under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ramdas Athawale said while talking to the media that this trade agreement between India and America is a historic decision taken in the interest of the country. Prime Minister Modi has kept the interests of the country paramount in this agreement and has ensured that Indian farmers get direct benefits from it, employment opportunities for unemployed youth increase and the country’s economy becomes stronger. Athawale said that this deal will have far-reaching and positive results and will play an important role in India’s progress.
Responding to the questions being raised by the opposition, the Union Minister said that it is wrong to say that this agreement will harm Indian farmers. He argued that the scope of agriculture in America is limited compared to India, hence this agreement will prove beneficial for Indian farmers. Referring to Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Ramdas Athawale said that democracy is sustainable only when it is accompanied by social and economic democracy. This trade agreement is a strong step in that direction, aimed at ensuring that the benefits of development reach the last person in the society.
Ramdas Athawale further said that there was a time when relations between India and America were not that good, but now the circumstances have completely changed. He said that India has also strengthened its relations with Russia and in the same sequence, important agreements have also been signed with Europe recently. This big initiative between India and America has been possible under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. He expressed confidence that if similar strategic and visionary agreements continue to be made in future, India will soon become the third largest economy in the world.
At the same time, Rajasthan government minister Jawahar Singh Bedham also praised Prime Minister Modi for the India-US trade agreement. He said that the Prime Minister worked as per the strategic plan to ensure victory for India, for which he thanked him. Bedham said that when the US President announced the increase in tariffs, the opposition was continuously raising questions, but at the same time, Prime Minister Modi showed foresight and called for promoting indigenous products under ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Make in India’. This sent a message to the world that India is a big and strong market.
Jawahar Singh Bedham said that the country is now standing on its own feet and moving rapidly towards becoming self-reliant. Due to this positive and strategic thinking of Prime Minister Modi, America had to reconsider its decision and ultimately the tariff was reduced to 18 percent. He said that this step reflects the strong leadership and clear vision of Prime Minister Modi, due to which India is continuously emerging in a strong position on the global stage.
–IANS
ASH/DKP