Aditya Thackeray launches scathing attack on Modi government, says it’s strong on democracy, weak on national interest

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray on Tuesday criticized the central government over the India-US trade agreement, saying the government claims to be strong on democracy but is weak in protecting India’s sovereignty and national interests. He demanded that the central government provide a clear explanation of the trade agreement and answer media questions in an open press conference. Under the India-US trade agreement, tariffs on Indian goods in the US have been reduced to 18 percent, while Washington claims the agreement will help it export more agricultural products to New Delhi. In a post, he wrote, “The BJP’s Government of India: Strong on democracy, democratic opposition, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, environmental activism, and common sense. Weak on protecting India’s sovereignty, negotiating trade agreements, handling geopolitics and national interests diplomatically.” Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to address Parliament on the India-US trade agreement, under which tariffs on goods exported from India have been reduced to 18 percent. This comes after opposition MPs raised concerns about the agricultural sector and oil purchases from Russia, demanding details of the agreement. Earlier, amidst sloganeering by the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister JP Nadda assured that the central government would suo motu issue a statement sharing details of the agreement and is also ready to discuss it in the House. Nadda said in the Rajya Sabha, “Late last night, the US President tweeted about the tariffs and called Prime Minister Modi a true friend. Following this, the Prime Minister also tweeted, thanking the US President and commenting on trade. The government will suo motu issue a statement on this trade agreement and will also discuss it.”