‘Congress insults tricolour abroad’: Piyush Goyal slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘gaddar’ jab at PM Modi | India News

NEW DELHI: Union minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him and the Congress party of using “abusive” and “derogatory” language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi while asserting that India’s global standing and strategic partnerships have strengthened under the Modi government.Addressing reporters in Delhi, Goyal said the world today viewed India and Prime Minister Modi “with great trust”, while Rahul Gandhi continued to display a “negative outlook” through his statements and speeches.“On the one hand, the entire world looks at India and the Prime Minister with great trust. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi, who has a negative outlook, is repeatedly displaying his nature and character in his statements and speeches. It is a different matter that the people of India are rejecting him one after another,” Goyal said.He added, “His frustration and self-created emotions, and the way he’s resorted to abusive language and used derogatory language against the Prime Minister are evident.”The Union minister also accused the Congress party and the Gandhi family of supporting infiltrators and questioned the party’s record on terrorism and Naxalism.“Is eliminating Naxalism treason? Or is allowing Naxalism to flourish for years under Congress rule treason?” Goyal asked.“The way the Congress Party and the Gandhi family support infiltrators is treason. Is honouring the Indian flag on a global stage considered treason, or is insulting the Indian flag abroad considered treason? Is breaking the back of terrorism, giving a befitting reply to terrorism, considered treason? Or is feeding biryani to terrorists, or compromising with terrorists considered treason?” he said.In another remark aimed at the Congress, Goyal said, “The way the Congress party and the Gandhi family support infiltrators, that is ‘Gaddari’. Will increasing the respect of the tricolor on the global stage be called ‘Gaddari’, or will going abroad and insulting India’s tricolor be considered ‘Gaddari’?”He further said Rahul Gandhi’s remarks reflected political weakness. “It’s clear that the terminology Rahul Gandhi uses is what is called ‘abuses are the weapon of the weak’ in English. It’s clear that the country is now looking at Rahul Gandhi’s weaknesses, the failures of the Gandhi family and the Congress party, and the world’s fastest-growing economy under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, and India’s prestige on the global stage,” he said.Goyal also highlighted India’s expanding ties with the United States, describing the bilateral relationship as “very strong and powerful”.“India and the US share a very strong and powerful partnership. We are both friends, consequential and important trading partners,” he said.He pointed to cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, saying, “We have a strategic partnership of critical minerals, we are working together on new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Machine Learning.”The minister said India and the US had finalised an interim phase-1 bilateral trade agreement that would benefit Indian exports.“We have finalised an interim phase 1 of a bilateral trade agreement, with which India will get preferential access, compared to our competitors, to the large US market,” he said.Referring to the Indian diaspora in the United States and the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Goyal said, “Today millions of Indians reside and work in the US, who are a living bridge between the 2 countries. The visit of Marco Rubio is extremely timely and reflects the growing partnership between the US and India, which will provide new opportunities to the youth, farmers, women.”He added, “Investment worth nearly Rs 6 lakh crore was announced for India by the US. This is why we are called the trusted partner of the world.”The Union minister also spoke extensively about Prime Minister Modi’s recent multi-nation visit, saying India remained “in the spotlight in 5 countries over 5 days”.“During Prime Minister Modi’s visit, India was in the spotlight in 5 countries over 5 days. The original people of India honored them in these countries. A clear message was given that India stands very strongly on the world stage. The world looks at India with respect. Today, the entire world looks at Prime Minister Modi’s leadership with honor and respect,” Goyal said.He said discussions were held with CEOs of more than 50 major companies to boost investments and trade ties.“Discussions were held with the CEOs of more than 50 major companies, and India talked about increasing investment and trade with them,” he said.Listing outcomes from the Prime Minister’s foreign engagements, Goyal said India had signed several strategic and economic agreements with European countries and the UAE.“During this visit, the Prime Minister Modi has signed a joint innovation partnership, a technology and artificial intelligence corridor with Sweden, which will double our mutual trade and investment,” he said.“There, we have secured $100 billion, or approximately Rs 10 lakh crore, in investments from four countries, creating millions of jobs and employment opportunities for our youth,” Goyal added.The minister said India had also finalised a Green Strategic Partnership with Norway and developed a strategic partnership roadmap with the Netherlands.“A new partnership in the energy sector has been launched. Sixteen 11th-century copper plates were brought back with the Prime Minister,” he said.Speaking about ties with Italy, Goyal said, “A special strategic partnership has been established with Italy, covering critical minerals. An innovation centre will be established in India. Defence co-production will strengthen the security of both Italy and India. We are going to give a new impetus to bilateral trade and investment between India and Italy.”He further announced that India and the UAE would create a strategic petroleum reserve in India.“A 30-million-barrel strategic petroleum reserve will be created in India with the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, an LPG supply agreement will ensure reliable and secure LPG for millions of consumers,” he said.“The PM enhanced the respect of farmers and took the country to new heights globally. Today, India is not only a friend of the world, but also a trusted partner,” Goyal added.