New Delhi, November 4: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for refusing to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Shah said that Indian Premier's decision is a result of "strong leadership" and unflinching resolve to ensure the national interest in all circumstances. India Opts Out of RCEP Trade Deal, Says 'Can't Compromise on Core Interests'.

"India’s decision to not sign RCEP is a result of PM Narendra Modi's strong leadership & unflinching resolve to ensure national interest in all circumstances. It shall ensure support to our farmers, MSMEs, dairy & manufacturing sector, pharmaceutical, steel & chemical industries," the Union Minister said in a tweet.

Amit Shah Tweet:

Slamming United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, Shah in another tweet said, "PM Modi's firm stand over the years of not going ahead with a deal if our interests are not taken care off, is a welcome break from the past, where a weak UPA government ceded precious ground on trade and could not protect the national interest."

Amit Shah Tweet:

BJP working President JP Nadda was also not behind giving credit to the Prime Minister for strong and decisive leadership. "He (PM Modi) has always kept in mind the interest of stakeholders including farmers, dairy sector, manufacturers & MSMEs," he said.

JP Nadda Tweet:

Meanwhile, Congress, on the other hand, claimed a moral victory, over India's decision to opt-out of RCEP agreement and said that it is a result of their protest and opposition that Bharatiya Janata Party government was forced to back out.

Indian on Monday decided not to join RCEP trade agreement, with PM Modi saying that the deal doesn't satisfactorily address India’s outstanding issues and concerns. “The present form of the RCEP agreement does not fully reflect the basic spirit and the agreed guiding principles of RCEP. It also does not address satisfactorily India’s outstanding issues and concerns. In such a situation, it is not possible for India to join the RCEP agreement," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 04, 2019 10:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).