TN Assembly will adopt resolution condemning Israel's attacks on Gaza, says CM Stalin
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Assembly will adopt a resolution to condemn Israel for its attacks on Gaza, and it will seek an immediate ceasefire and also request the Centre to take appropriate steps to that effect, Chief Minister M K Stalin said here on Wednesday.
Demanding that the Centre pressurise Israel to stop the "genocide" in Gaza, Stalin said the resolution would be passed in the Assembly after it convenes on October 14.
Addressing a protest against Israel organised by the CPI(M), he said: "This resolution, which will also emphasise the immediate need for a ceasefire there, will reflect the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu; I fully believe that transcending political differences, all parties will support this resolution."
In the all-party protest gathering here held by the Marxist party to condemn the "genocide" in Gaza, the CM said the indiscriminate attacks carried out by Israel on Gaza were shaking the hearts of all.
He said the protest by the CPI (M) is an attempt to unite people with humanitarian values, so that powers that be are urged to put an end to the attacks that blatantly violate international human right laws and the principles of the United Nations.
On September 8, in a social media post, Stalin had said that he was "shaken beyond words by what is unfolding in Gaza...when innocent lives are being crushed in this way, silence is not an option".
The CPI (M) had urged the Union government to cancel all trade agreements with Israel.
The Marxist party had also called for a ban on Israeli firms from participating in an ongoing conclave here on Aerospace and Defence.
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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.
