(PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to stay out of RCEP keeping in mind India’s economic interests, especially of northeastern states, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said today. He also said that if India had joined the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), farmers, labourers and industries would have been adversely affected.
“At the recent ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, our prime minister took a very important decision that India will not be part of RCEP. This is not a small thing,” Mr Singh said after inaugurating the Sisseri Bridge. The 200-metre long permanent bridge connects the Siang Valley and the Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
“Keeping in mind India’s economic interests, especially the economic interests of the northeast, the prime minister took this decision. Everyone should welcome this decision by the prime minister,” Rajnath Singh said.After years of negotiations, India had pulled out of the China-backed mega RCEP over unresolved “core concerns”, with Prime Minister Modi saying in Bangkok that the proposed deal would have adverse impact on the lives and livelihoods of all Indians.
