The Opposition on Monday mounted an attack on commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman for allegedly allowing China to “dump” sub-standard products in India.
Even though Sitharaman reiterated that import of certain Chinese items like certain types of mobile phones and steel products had been banned, opposition leaders blamed the government for not placing a complete ban on all Chinese products.
“China has completely smashed the Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, but the India government has been giving out the message: Please come and trample upon us”, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) member Tathaghata Satpathy said.
The issue was raised during Parliament’s Question Hour by BJP leader Bhola Singh, who wanted to know why India continued to suffer financial losses by allowing China to dump sub-standard goods. “China is facing an economic crisis and a growing economy like India can also get into trouble if things continue like this,” Singh said.
Sitharaman explained that a complete ban on Chinese products was not possible because of the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) rules. “This is regardless of problems India may have with any country at the political, diplomatic or military levels,” she said.
India’s trade deficit with China was at $48.68 billion during 2015-16 (April-February), with a total bilateral trade of $65.16 billion.
{{/usCountry}}India’s trade deficit with China was at $48.68 billion during 2015-16 (April-February), with a total bilateral trade of $65.16 billion.
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