Amul thanks PM Modi for rejecting China-led RCEP free trade deal

The country's leading milk supplier Amul on Monday hailed Modi government's decision not to join China-backed mega Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bangkok said India will not join China-backed RCEP deal as negotiations failed to satisfactorily address New Delhi's "outstanding issues and concerns". He made the announcement during his speech at the RCEP Summit here, which was attended by several world leaders, including Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

"On behalf of 36 lakh milk producers of Gujarat, Amul has thanked the Prime Minister for his exemplary leadership in protecting 10 crore milk producer families of India. It has appreciated the vision and resolve of the Prime Minister for supporting the domestic milk producers against the flood of imports of dairy products from New Zealand and Australia under the proposed RCEP," said AMUL in a tweet.

The statement by Amul came after India decided not to join the RCEP agreement as its key concerns have not been addressed, with the Prime Minister standing firm on the demands. The decision not to join RCEP will help the country's farmers, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and dairy sector, according to sources in the government.