Ahead of Trump's India visit, Congress takes dig at PM Modi with 5 questions
New Delhi/IBNS: Ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to India, the Congress party on Sunday posed five questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on US-India trade, H-1 B visas, national security, oil prices and steel exports.
In a series of tweets, Congress senior leader Randeep Surjewala slammed the Modi government over Trump's restrictive US Visa policy.
"Trump Govt’s restrictive immigration policies have hit H-1B visas. Indians get 70% of 85000 H-1B Visas. Now,Rejection Rate for India has increased from 6% in 2015 to 24% in 2019, esp. for IT professionals. Post 10 million ppl gala event,Will PM Modi ask for easing H-1B visas?"
Trump Govt’s restrictive immigration policies have hit H-1B visas. Indians get 70% of 85000 H-1B Visas
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 23, 2020
Now,Rejection Rate for India has increased from 6% in 2015 to 24% in 2019, esp. for IT professionals
Post 10 million ppl gala event,Will PM Modi ask for easing H-1B visas? pic.twitter.com/UOc2OwDMTS
In another tweet, he said: "US prepares to sign deal with Taliban on 29Feb.
What about India’s red lines! Have we forgotten IC814hijacking & release of terrorist Masood Azhar in Kandhar,who’s JeM then attacked Parliament & Pulwama? As gala bash unfolds,Will Modiji raise our National Security concerns?"
US prepares to sign deal with Taliban on 29Feb.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 23, 2020
What about India’s red lines!
Have we forgotten IC814hijacking & release of terrorist Masood Azhar in Kandhar,who’s JeM then attacked Parliament & Pulwama?
As gala bash unfolds,Will Modiji raise our National Security concerns? pic.twitter.com/5CgXQFmucm
He also hit at Modi over the effect on Indian exports to the US.
"Continuing since 1974, US removed India from Duty Free Imports i.e GSP on 5 June,2019. It has affected the $5.6 billion Indian exports to the US, especially gems,jewellery,rice,leather. Post ‘Howdy Modi’ & ‘Namaste Trump’ gala events, Will PM ensure restoration of GSP status?"
Continuing since 1974, US removed India from Duty Free Imports i.e GSP on 5 June,2019
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 23, 2020
It has affected the $5.6 billion Indian exports to the US, especially gems,jewellery,rice,leather
Post ‘Howdy Modi’ & ‘Namaste Trump’ gala events, Will PM ensure restoration of GSP status? pic.twitter.com/oqO01C9KQk
On crude oil prices, Surjewala said: "Uptill 2018, India imported 250Cr ton Crude Oil/month from Iran on ₹payment, 90 days credit & doorstep delivery.
Modi govt stopped buying cheaper Iran oil as per US sanctions that raised oil prices in India. As fest continues in AMD, Will Modiji secure cheaper oil for India?"
Uptill 2018, India imported 250Cr ton Crude Oil/month from Iran on ₹payment, 90 days credit & doorstep delivery
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 23, 2020
Modi govt stopped buying cheaper Iran oil as per US sanctions that raised oil prices in India
As fest continues in AMD, Will Modiji secure cheaper oil for India? pic.twitter.com/jAyBfIFHtD
Lastly, he raised the question of PM's stand on zero relief to India's export of steel by the US.
In a tweet, he wrote: "India’s exports of $761 million of Steel to US fell by 50% to $372 million as Trump Govt hiked tariffs on import by 25%. As India commits to $3 billion Defense purchases, why zero relief for India's export of steel? @POTUS says America First, why is PM quiet on India First?"
India’s exports of $761 million of Steel to US fell by 50% to $372 million as Trump Govt hiked tariffs on import by 25%
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 23, 2020
As India commits to $3 billion Defense purchases, why zero relief for India's export of steel?@POTUS says America First, why is PM quiet on India First? pic.twitter.com/W84Qfikky2
US President Donald Trump will be in India on Feb 24 and 25.
Trump on his maiden visit to India, being the US President, will be received by Prime Minister Modi himself at the Ahmedabad airport.
An event called "Namaste Trump" will be held at Ahmedabad's yet-to-be inaugurated Sardar Patel Stadium to welcome the US President, more like "Howdy Modi" that was hosted in the US to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.
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