BJP MP Siddeshwara opposes RCEP deal

Shimoga: As India is on the cusp of signing a massive free-trade agreement known as The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership involving 16 nations that are home to nearly 50% of the world’s population, Davanagere BJP MP G M Siddeshwara has raised his voice against the proposal of his own party’s government at the Centre, terming it disastrous.

Opposing the proposal Siddeshwara has sent two separate letters to Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar.

In his letters, Siddeshwara wrote that the entire country’s agriculture, dairy and industrial sectors are at risk because of the RCEP deal.

“Considering that India has been adversely affected by all the free market agreements so far, it is my opinion that it is feasible to stay away from the deal or to try as much as possible to add areca nut and dairy products to the negative list in RCEP,” he added.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – a mega free trade agreement being negotiated among 10 ASEAN countries with their six FTA partners (India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand). The proposed deal is expected to be finalized and signed by the next month.

Last week, RCEP member countries met in Bangkok for three days of negotiations, perhaps for the last time to conclude the deal.