Rahul Gandhi congratulates Team India on World Cup victory, Virat Kohli on outstanding T20 career
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi congratulates Team India for their triumphant T20 World Cup final win against South Africa in Barbados. Taking to X soon after India's nail-biting victory on Saturday night, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi praised the team's phenomenal performance throughout the tournament.
"Surya, what a brilliant catch! Rohit, this win is a testament to your leadership. Rahul, I know Team India will miss your guidance. The spectacular Men in Blue have made our country proud," Gandhi stated on X, referring to coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma, and cricketer Surya Kumar Yadav.
Congratulations to Team India on a spectacular World Cup Victory and a phenomenal performance throughout the tournament!
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 29, 2024
Surya, what a brilliant catch! Rohit, this win is a testament to your leadership. Rahul, I know team India will miss your guidance.
The spectacular Men in… pic.twitter.com/lkYlu33egb
Gandhi also congratulated Virat Kohli on his outstanding T20 career. "You truly are signing off in grand style!" he said. Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20 internationals following the World Cup final.
Congratulations Virat on an outstanding T20 career. You truly are signing off in grand style! pic.twitter.com/2fmud438C7
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 29, 2024
Other Congress leaders joined in the celebration. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge congratulated the Men in Blue for their impressive talent and dedication, singling out Virat Kohli, Axar Patel, and Arshdeep Singh for their standout performances. He expressed pride in every Indian for this remarkable victory, promising continued support and cheers for future matches.
In a nail-biting final, Team India won the #T20WorldCup after 17 years!
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 29, 2024
Many Congratulations to the Men in Blue for their impressive display of talent and dedication. Virat Kohli, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh shone through the match. Every Indian is proud of this incredible… pic.twitter.com/lXI8eZFL2n
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India, New Zealand ink free trade agreement
New Delhi (PTI): India and New Zealand on Monday inked a free trade agreement, aimed at boosting two-way commerce and investments.
The pact was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and visiting New Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.
The FTA provides duty-free access for 100 per cent of India's exports to New Zealand, covering all tariff lines or produce categories, and is expected to significantly boost MSMEs and employment by enhancing competitiveness in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and processed foods.
Earlier, New Zealand maintained peak tariffs of up to 10 per cent on key Indian exports, including ceramics, carpets, automobiles, and auto components.
With zero-duty market access from entry into force as New Zealand's other trade partners, Indian products will be fully competitive in that country, enjoying a level playing field.
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Significantly, India also secured duty-free inputs for its manufacturing sector, including wooden logs, coking coal, and waste and scraps of metals, lowering production costs and enhancing the global competitiveness of the Indian industry.
On the other hand, India has offered tariff liberalisation on 70.03 per cent of tariff lines covering 95 per cent of bilateral trade value, while keeping 29.97 per cent of tariff lines excluded to protect India's sensitive sectors.
The products that are kept in exclusion are mainly -- dairy (milk, cream, whey, yoghurt, cheese etc.), animal products (other than sheep meat), agricultural products (onions, chana, peas, corn, almonds), sugar, artificial honey, animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils, arms and ammunition, gems and jewellery, copper and articles thereof (cathodes, cartridges, rods, bars, coils), aluminium and articles thereof (ingots, billets, wire bars) among others.
On 30 per cent of tariff lines of New Zealand, India will provide duty elimination on goods such as wood, wool, sheep meat, and leather-raw hides.
Similarly, 35.60 per cent of tariff lines are subject to phased elimination over 3, 5, 7, and 10 years, including petroleum oil, malt extract, vegetable oils, selected electrical and mechanical machinery, and peptones.
New Zealand products which enjoy tariff reductions include wine, pharmaceutical drugs, polymers, aluminum, iron and steel articles, and goods that only 0.06 per cent fall under tariff rate quotas, including Manuka honey, apples, kiwi fruit, and albumins, including milk albumin.
The FTA also includes a commitment to facilitate USD 20 billion in investment into India.
A rebalancing clause is incorporated into the Agreement to provide a framework for addressing any shortfall in investment delivery, thereby ensuring robust and tangible economic outcomes.
Total bilateral trade in goods and services reached USD 2.4 billion in 2024.
