Mrunal Thakur ended up cancelling her plans to watch Usha Uthup’s live performance. The actress went to the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, where the veteran singer took the stage for a performance. Although the actress had other plans, During an interview with Times of India
Having excelled through the season because of their united efforts and incisive pace attacks, Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) promise an exciting Ranji Trophy semifinal clash starting at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani on Sunday (February 15, 2026)
Car fuel tank design: The main reason behind the fuel cap position is vehicle design. The tank is usually placed away from major impact zones and heat sources such as the exhaust system. Car fuel tank design: If you have ever driven different cars
Kisan Credit Card Scheme: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released draft directions to revise the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme, aiming to expand coverage, streamline operations, and align credit norms with evolving agricultural needs.Kisan Credit Card Scheme: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Bacteria can get into us, make us sick, and they can even kill us – but they give us our life too. Bonnie Bassler, renowned molecular biologist and professor of Princeton University, best known for her work in bacterial communication, described bacteria as “magical microbes” holding great
Opposition parties are preparing to move an impeachment notice against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This move is expected to increase political tensions. It comes as a no-confidence notice against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has already been submitted
Piaggio has launched the new Vespa Officina 8 special-edition scooter with a price tag of Rs. 1.34 Lakh, ex-showroom, Maharashtra. It is available at select Vespa dealerships across India in a single colour option called matte metallic Blue Officina 8
A 22-year-old Indian postgraduate student has gone missing in the U.S. state of California, prompting efforts by authorities to locate him. Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a UC Berkeley student hailing from Karnataka, disappeared on Tuesday (February 10), local media reported, quoting the police
Rahul Gandhi immature, lacks understanding of economy, says Goyal on Congress leader's textile remarks
Rahul Gandhi immature, lacks understanding of economy, says Goyal on Congress leader's textile remarks
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday (February 14, 2026) described Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as "immature" and lacking understanding of the economy and accused the Opposition party of spreading misinformation as it had no constructive agenda to criticise the Narendra Modi government.
Speaking to reporters here in Mumbai on the Union Budget, Goyal said Rahul Gandhi is "thousand miles away from the truth" and asserted "discredited leaders" like him may try but would not be able to stop Prime Minister Modi and his service to the nation.
Also Read | Centre ignored voices of workers, farmers while making decisions concerning their future: Rahul
"The Congress is frustrated. It has no other scheme or solution except spreading misinformation and fabricated claims. It does not have any point to criticise us. They are trying to mislead our farmers by spreading wrong and false information," he said.
"I am confident that discredited leaders like Rahul Gandhi of the Congress and its allies, including TMC, DMK and SP, which are parties rejected by the people, can try hundreds of thousands of times, but nobody can stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his service to the nation," the Minister further said.
The Mumbai North BJP Lok Sabha MP said the Congress has failed to understand its own limitations.
"Rahul Gandhi does not have any understanding of the economy, only tweeting false and misleading information on social media. He is thousands of miles away from the truth. India's cotton cultivation capacity and requirement both will grow. This policy of importing material and processing it for export is an old practice in global trade," the Minister said.
When immature people come into politics, allegations of such a level are made, he said in a further attack on Rahul Gandhi over the latter's criticism of the Indo-U.S. trade deal with regards to cotton cultivation and the textile sector.
Textiles are a shining example in the country's overall exports, accounting for nearly Rs 3.60 lakh crore of the total, which will more than double in the coming time, Goyal said responding to a question.
"Among the FTAs that India has pushed forward in the last few months, the textile sector's contribution would be nearly USD half a trillion, which comes to about ₹45 lakh crore, With the textile market now opened for us, it will benefit us. The United States alone procures textile products worth around ₹9 lakh crore annually. Moreover, reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods have been reduced to 18 per cent from earlier 50%," he pointed out.
Roughly half of the total exports to the U.S. from India will go at zero duty, and the 18% tariffs on the rest are the lowest when compared to any other competing nation, Goyal asserted.
"We are lower than China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia. India has received the lowest tariffs from the U.S. compared to our competitors, and it has opened a $30 trillion market for India. I think it is a game-changer for the future progress of India," he said.
The Union Minister also noted that the European Union procures around ₹22-23 lakh crore worth of goods from India, adding that textile products would be exported at zero duty to markets such as the EU, New Zealand, and the UK.
"The U.S. produces around 480 million pounds bales of cotton every year, which is valued at ₹1.25 lakh crore. It cannot damage the interests of India's cotton growers. The US exports around ₹45,000 crore worth of cotton. In my guess, India's one region produces more cotton than that," the minister said.
The nation's demand for cotton is much higher and it is rising, the senior BJP leader added.
Published - February 14, 2026 02:14 pm IST
Mumbai / politics / trade agreements
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: Sonia Gandhi calls revision plea Rahul Gandhi shreds India-US trade deal in Lok Sabha BJP will seek to expunge Rahul Gandhi’s comments in Lok Sabha Pralhad Joshi slams Rahul Gandhi as ‘immature Privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil granted anticipatory bail in rape case BJP starts process to cancel Rahul Gandhi’s LS membership BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Demands Termination Of Rahul Gandhi’s Parliament Membership BJP calls Rahul Gandhi Piyush Goyal Dismisses Rahul Gandhi’s Farmer Meet Video
The Centre on Friday allowed export of 25 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of wheat along with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products, moving to lift the ban on shipment of the cereal it imposed in May 2022. In a statement, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said
1 minutes ago
Venezuela’s parliament chief said on Saturday (February 14, 2026) that 17 political prisoners had been released, as talks continue over the adoption of a historic amnesty bill designed to end the use of courts to crack down on dissent. The amnesty law, if enacted
1 minutes ago
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, "We belong together," highlighting the enduring transatlantic relationship now facing heightened pressures in President Donald Trump's second term on Saturday at Munich Security Conference. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
1 minutes ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated several projects in Assam on Saturday, including a new campus for the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) for the northeastern region. The Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the temporary campus of IIM Guwahati
1 minutes ago
Tarique Rahman, poised to become Bangladesh's prime minister, has called for national unity following his election victory. He dedicated his win to those who fought for democracy. Rahman emphasized that collective strength lies in unity, while division represents weakness
1 minutes ago
A Palestinian official in the occupied West Bank has described Israel's latest expansion of control there as "the end of the road" for negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Asma al-Sharabati, acting mayor of Hebron, said new legal changes recently announced by Israeli cabinet ministers
1 minutes ago
Police activity connected to the search for Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of US news anchor Savannah Guthrie, is under way at a residence about two miles from her home. Armed police teams have been seen coming in and going from the area, with a sheriff's vehicle blocking the road
1 minutes ago
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stressed that justice must reach everyone, especially the marginalized. He highlighted that judicial leadership requires empathy and ethical grounding. Technology, including AI, should aid judicial reasoning, not replace it
1 minutes ago
Astrology’s fun take this Valentine’s Day is simple. Romance and practicality are not opposites. They are two sides of love. When understood and respected, they can complement each other beautifully. Happy Valentine’s Day 2026: Every Valentine’s Day brings out a familiar divide
1 minutes ago
I am a B.Tech (Electronics and Instrumentation) graduate and a Red Hat Certified Engineer working as a Linux Technical Support Engineer. Rotating three shifts has made the role exhausting and unfulfilling. What career direction can I consider? Jayaram I am a B
1 minutes ago
The glass of water on your nightstand is one of sleep’s most common dilemmas. On one hand, your body needs hydration to perform vital repair work while you drift off; on the other, a full bladder is a guaranteed ticket to a midnight bathroom trip. As we navigate 2026
1 minutes ago
Sunny Deol is currently enjoying his 2.0 era with back-to-back hits in his kitty. He was recently seen in Border 2 alongside Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty and the war film has managed to impress the audience. Amid enjoying the glorious run at the box office
1 minutes ago
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said states should rethink the original purpose behind introducing RERA. The court observed that instead of protecting homebuyers, the law appears to be helping defaulting builders and not serving its intended role
1 minutes ago
Usman Tariq entered the tournament in red-hot form, securing three wickets on his T20 World Cup debut against the USA. As the cricketing world turns its attention to the T20 World Cup 2026 showdown between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium
1 minutes ago
Wedged in amicable assistance of pilgrims towards Maha Shivaratri festival celebrations, South Western Railway (SWR) recently announced two additional special trains between Bengaluru (Yesvantpur)-Kalaburagi Junction. Stationary departures for Kalaburagi on Yesvantpur via Special Train Number 06209
1 minutes ago
Have you experienced the impact of the ‘digital tsunami’ known as Artificial Intelligence (AI)? What once seemed like a costly futuristic gadget is now entering our workplaces, not to greet us, but to take our jobs. This threat is no longer confined to factory workers but extends to the
1 minutes ago
Chai needs a biscuit. Keema needs pav, and jalebi needs fafada. Some things go together, especially when it comes to food. And while it is Valentine’s Day today, it also means long wait times at restaurants and the public areas getting extremely crowded
1 minutes ago
The Adani Group is entering India’s nuclear energy sector by establishing Adani Atomic Energy, a subsidiary focused on nuclear power generation. The Adani Group is set to enter India’s nuclear energy sector, joining conglomerates such as Tata and JSW as the government opens up atomic power
1 minutes ago
Many people have turned towards popular generative AI applications such as Grok, ChatGPT and Gemini to take personal finance advice regarding wealth management and investment. With the growing dependency on these applications in the general aspect of life, the PF part hasn’t remained untouched
1 minutes ago
Celebrate Maha Shivratri 2026 with these simple and sacred bhog recipes to offer Lord Shiva and seek his divine blessings. Maha Shivratri 2026 bhog to offer Lord Shiva: Maha Shivratri, one of the most significant Hindu festivals, will be celebrated tomorrow, Sunday, February 15, 2026
1 minutes ago
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday (February 14, 2026) described Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as "immature" and lacking understanding of the economy and accused the Opposition party of spreading misinformation as it had no constructive agenda to criticise the Narendra
1 minutes ago
Long before supplements and quick fixes crowded our shelves, wellness began in the kitchen. A slice of ginger before a meal, a handful of fennel seeds after dinner, a cup of mint tea before bed – these small rituals were once everyday medicine. Today, as stress
1 minutes ago
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acknowledged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his congratulatory message following the party's sweeping victory in Bangladesh's parliamentary elections earlier this month. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Saturday (local time) acknowledged
1 minutes ago
Le Travenues Technology, the parent company of online travel aggregator Ixigo, has acquired a 60% majority stake in Spain-based online train ticketing platform Trenes for €12 million (around Rs 125 crore).The acquisition marks Ixigo’s first major international deal and its entry into the
1 minutes ago
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the detailed exam schedule for the Common University Entrance Test, Postgraduate (CUET PG) 2026. The exams are set to take place from March 6 to March 27, 2026, in Computer Based Test (CBT) format. It will be conducted in 43 shifts
1 minutes ago
The Valentine’s Day poster of Ek Din showcases Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s cosy winter romance, building excitement for the film’s May 1, 2026 release and marking the reunion of Aamir Khan and Mansoor Khan. Mumbai: On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, the makers of Ek Din
1 minutes ago
So, it looks like taking a swipe at OpenAI actually worked. Anthropic’s Super Bowl campaign mocking ads in ChatGPT has helped its Claude chatbot climb into the top 10 on the US App Store.As of Saturday, Claude ranked at No. 10, indicating its “no ads” pitch struck a chord with users
1 minutes ago
