Rahul Gandhi urges Modi to support women's reservation bill
New Delhi, July 16 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek his support for the passage of the Womens Reservation Bill in Parliament's monsoon session, claiming that the BJP appears to have had second thoughts on the proposed law even though it was a key promise in its 2014 manifesto.
The Congress leader said that the bill -- passed by the Rajya Sabha in March 2010 -- has been stalled on one pretext or the other in the Lok Sabha for over eight years now.
Gandhi said that the bill holds the potential to transform the country's governance and any further delay will make it impossible to implement it before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
"I write to request (for) your support to ensure the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in the coming monsoon session," he said. The monsoon session is slated to begin on July 18 and will continue till August 10.
"Given the fact that the BJP and its allies have a majority in the Lok Sabha, all this landmark (proposed) legislation requires to become a reality is your support. I am sure it will not be withheld," Gandhi said.
The bill seeks to reserve one third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and the state Assemblies for women.
Gandhi said that when the bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha with BJP support, then Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley called it "historic and momentous".'
"Since then, while the Congress has been unwavering in its commitment to the bill, the BJP appears to have had second thoughts even though it was one of the party's key promises in the 2014 manifesto," Gandhi said.
The Congress chief said that Modi should point out to BJP sceptics opposed to its passage that the experience with governance at the panchayat and municipal levels has shown that women in leadership positions are more likely to take decisions that further the cause of an inclusive and just society.
Gandhi said that Modi had spoken about his passion for empowering women in many of his rallies in the past.
"What better way to demonstrate your commitment to the cause of women than by offering your unconditional support to the passage of the bill? And what better time than the coming session of Parliament? Any further delay will make it impossible to implement it before the next general elections," Gandhi said.
He said that the Congress had collected 3.2 million signatures in support of the bill.
"We submit these signatures to your care and humbly seek your support in ensuring that the bill is passed by Parliament so that women can participate more meaningfully in the next Lok Sabha polls and the state elections later this year."
The Congress leader called for a bipartisan approach on the issue of empowering women.
"Let us stand together, rise above party politics and send India a message that we believe that the time for change has come. Women must take their rightful place in our state legislatures and Parliament where they are at present abysmally represented," Gandhi said.
Our PM says he’s a crusader for women’s empowerment? Time for him to rise above party politics, walk-his-talk & have the Women’s Reservation Bill passed by Parliament. The Congress offers him its unconditional support.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 16, 2018
Attached is my letter to the PM. #MahilaAakrosh pic.twitter.com/IretXFFvvK
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India proposes preferential trade agreement with Mexico to deal with high tariffs
New Delhi (PTI): India has proposed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Mexico to help domestic exporters deal with the steep tariffs announced by the South American country, a top government official said on Monday.
Mexico has decided to impose steep import tariffs - ranging from about 5 per cent to as high as 50 per cent on a wide range of goods (about 1,463 tariff lines) from countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that India has engaged with the country on the issue.
"Technical level talks are on...The only fast way forward is to try to get a preferential trade agreement (PTA) because an FTA (free trade agreement) will take a lot of time. So we are trying to see what can be a good way forward," he told reporters here.
While in an FTA two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on maximum number of goods traded between them, in a PTA, duties are cut or removed on a limited number of products.
Trading partners of Mexico cannot file a compliant against the decision on imposing high tariffs as they are WTO (World Trade Organisation) compatible.
The duties are within their bound rates, he said, adding that their primary target was not India.
"We have proposed a PTA because its a WTO-compatible way forward... we can do a PTA and try to get concessions that are required for Indian supply chains and similarly offer them concessions where they have export interests in India," Agrawal said.
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Citing support for local production and correction of trade imbalances, Mexico has approved an increase in MFN (most favoured nation) import tariffs (5-50 per cent) with effect from January 1, 2026 on 1,455 tariff lines (or product categories) within the WTO framework, targeting non-FTA partners.
Preliminary estimates suggest that this affects India's around USD 2 billion exports to Mexico particularly -- automobile, two-wheelers, auto parts, textiles, iron and steel, plastics, leather and footwear.
The measure is also aimed at curbing Chinese imports.
India-Mexico merchandise trade totalled USD 8.74 billion in 2024, with exports USD 5.73 billion, imports USD 3.01 billion, and a trade surplus of USD 2.72 billion.
The government has been continuously and comprehensively assessing Mexico's tariff revisions since the issue emerged, engaging stakeholders, safeguarding the interests of Indian exporters, and pursuing constructive dialogue to ensure a stable trade environment benefiting businesses and consumers in both countries.
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Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai has said that Mexico's decision is a matter of concern, particularly for sectors like automobiles and auto components, machinery, electrical and electronics, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and plastics.
"Such steep duties will erode our competitiveness and risk, disrupting supply chains that have taken years to develop," Sahai said, adding that this development also underlines the little urgency for India and Mexico to fast-track a comprehensive trade agreement.
Domestic auto component manufacturers will face enhanced cost pressures with Mexico hiking duties on Indian imports, according to industry body ACMA.
