Govt should phase out trade with China in 10 years, says Akhilesh
2
Lucknow: Blaming the BJP-led NDA govt for the collapse of India's foreign policy,
Samajwadi Party
chief
Akhilesh Yadav
on Monday said govt should phase out trade with China over the next 10 years for backing Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
Akhilesh expressed gratitude towards Indian armed forces on behalf of his party and the country but questioned govt's claims on the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent events.
"We admire the valour of our forces and congratulate them for the manner in which they bravely executed Operation Sindoor. Had they been given a chance, they could have reclaimed PoK as well," Akhilesh told reporters outside the Parliament House.
He said India has received top honours from many nations but during Operation Sindoor none of these countries were seen standing with India and added that this was a failure of the Indian govt's foreign policy.
India caters to the economic interests of China by way of trade and so it was understandable that such economic activity cannot be stopped abruptly, he said. "But the central govt should chalk out a blueprint to end all trade ties with China in a phased manner," Akhilesh said.
"People of India listen to what the central govt says. Be it the beating of Thaalis during Covid or facing demonetisation, people did what the govt asked them. Now govt should come out with a plan to withdraw trade ties with China and people will abide by it," he said. "The problem is that the rich people are getting everything (from China) but fertilizers for farmers are not coming in," he added. Akhilesh said it was not only about Pahalgam, the Centre was yet to give details to the nation about what had happened with regards to action against the terrorists involved in Pulwama attack.
"On Aug 14, 2019, a suicide bomber crashed into a bus carrying CRPF personnel in Pulwama killing at least 40 jawans. The question is why are terror attacks taking place when the BJP-led govts are at the helm. Govt must answer this question," he said.
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