After attending ASEAN-India, East Asia and RCEP summits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his three-day Thailand visit on Monday, 4 November and emplaned for home.
India on Monday, 4 November, decided against joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.
Announcing the decision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said,“The present form of the RCEP Agreement does not fully reflect the basic spirit and the agreed guiding principles of the RCEP. It also does not address satisfactorily India's outstanding issues and concerns. In such a situation, it is not possible for India to join RCEP Agreement.”
- PM Modi led Indian delegation to 16th ASEAN-India summit in Thailand.
- On the sidelines of the summit, Modi held several bilateral meetings.
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'Bold Decision': RSS Affiliate on Govt's Move to Not Join RCEP
The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) welcomed the government's decision of not signing the China-backed RCEP agreement and hailed it as a “bold decision.”
SJM co-convener Ashwani Mahajan said that staying away from the RCEP is a decision in favour of the country's small businesses, farmers, dairy, data security and the manufacturing sector, reported PTI.
PM Modi Leaves for Home After Attending ASEAN-India Summit in Thailand
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for home after attending ASEAN-India, the East Asia and the RCEP summits in Bangkok.
In his address at the annual India-ASEAN summit, Prime Minister Modi talked about the mutual coordination between India's vision of the Indo-Pacific and ASEAN Outlook for the strategically key region which has been witnessing growing Chinese assertiveness.
Modi also talked about cross border terrorism, the spread of violent extremism and the situation in the South China Sea, and underlined the need for greater cooperation between India and the ASEAN.
Oppn to Hold Joint Protest Against RCEP During Parliament Session: Azad
The opposition will hold a joint protest on issues such as economic slowdown, RCEP, farm distress and unemployment during the upcoming Parliament session, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said after a meeting of senior opposition leaders in Delhi.
According to sources, in the meeting, there were discussions focused on the joint opposition's strategy to corner the government on poor economic indicators and India's decision to consider signing the RCEP earlier, reported PTI.
'Will Ensure Support to Farmers, MSMEs, Industries': Shah on No RCEP Deal
Home Minister Amit Shah said, “India’s decision to not sign the RCEP agreement is a result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong leadership and unflinching resolve to ensure national interest in all circumstances. It shall ensure support to our farmers, MSMEs, dairy and manufacturing sector, pharmaceutical, steel and chemical industries,” reported ANI.