• Source:JND
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Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday went all guns blazing against the Centre over US President Donald Trump's announcement of imposing 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, and his remarks that "Indian economy is a dead economy". Hitting out at the Modi government, Rahul Gandhi said that Donald Trump has "stated a fact" and that everyone knows the condition of Indian economy, except for the prime minister and the finance minister.

"Yes, he is right, Everybody knows this except the Prime Minsiter and the Finance Minsiter. Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I am glad that President Trump has stated a fact. The entire world knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. BJP has finished the economy to help Adani," Rahul Gandhi said outside Parliament.

Furthering his attack on PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi said, "PM Modi works only for one person- Adani. This (India-US trade) deal will take place, and PM Modi will do exactly what Trump says. The main issue sitting in front of India today is that the Govt has destroyed our economic, defence and foreign policy. They are running this country into the ground."

Rahul Gandhi's scathing attack came after US President Donald Trump, who announced 25 per cent tariffs on all Indian imports to the US from August 1, termed Indian economy as "dead economy" and sharply attacked India's oil and military equipment purchases with Russia.

ALSO READ: After Tariff Bombshell, US Imposes Sanctions On Indian Companies Over Alleged Oil Trade With Iran

Rahul Gandhi also attacked Foreign Minister S Jaishankar over his remarks in Parliament that "India has a genius foreign policy," and said that there is total confusion in the functioning of the Modi government. "Foreign Minister gives a speech and says that we have a genius foreign policy. On one hand, America is abusing you; on the other hand, China is behind you. When you send your delegation to the world, no country condemns Pakistan. How are they running this country? There is total confusion," he said.

"He (PM Modi in his speech) did not take the name of Trump and China. The military chief of Pakistan who did this Pahalgam attack, President Trump is having lunch with him, and they are saying we had a huge success," the Lok Sabha LoP added.

Questioning PM Modi's silence on Trump's repeated claims over India-Pakistan ceasefire, Rahul Gandhi said, "The main question is, Trump has claimed 30-32 times that he did a ceasefire. He also said that 5 Indian jets have fallen. Trump now says that he will impose 25% tariffs. Why is PM Modi not able to give an answer? What is the actual reason? Who has the control in his hands?."

What Trump Said?

Mounting a sharp attack on India and Russia for their close ties, US President Donald Trump said that the two countries can take their "dead economies down together". The US president's fresh criticism of New Delhi and Moscow came hours after announcing 25 per cent tariffs against India, plus a "penalty" for its trade with Russia.

"I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World," he said.

Trump on Wednesday announced the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on all goods coming from India starting August 1, plus an unspecified penalty for buying Russian crude oil and military equipment. The surprise announcement came a day after Indian officials said that a US trade team would visit from August 25 to negotiate a trade deal.

ALSO READ: Shehbaz Sharif Showers Praise On Trump After 'Game-Changing' Pakistan-US Trade Pact: 'Landmark Deal Will Enhance Our Growing Cooperation'

The announcement is being seen as a pressure tactic to get New Delhi to agree to demands made by the US, which has, in recent days, got favourable trade deals with major partners like Japan, the UK and the European Union.


(With Agency Inputs)