Reacting to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s remarks that “China has not occupied any of our land”, the Congress said that in the last four years, the Narendra Modi-led government has tried to cover up the worst territorial setback for India with a “deny, distract, lie and justify” approach. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also castigated the government for its “meek” policy towards China.
Referring to Mr. Jaishankar’s statement as a “double clean chit” to China, Mr. Kharge in a post on X questioned why status quo ante has not been achieved to that of pre-2020 position. Mr. Jaishankar’s remarks made during a press briefing in Pune, which follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent interview to foreign press, is the second instance of absolving China of the crimes that it committed by a series of incursions, including the June 2020 incident at Galwan where 20 Indian soldiers were killed.
‘M for Meek’
Mr. Kharge shot off questions to the government on the issue, asking: “What were the 19 rounds of bilateral talks with your Chinese counterpart for? Was it to increase Chinese imports of India? Or take PMCARE funds from 3000 companies having Chinese directors? Why has the status quo ante, pre 2020, not returned? Why is India still denied access to areas in Depsang Plains, Demchok Nalla and several patrolling points in Hot Springs and Gogra Post?”
He branded the Prime Minister’s policy towards China as “M for Meek”!
In a detailed statement, Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh said these statements by Mr. Modi and Mr. Jaishankar insulted the nation’s fallen soldiers at Galwan and also legitimised the Chinese claims over thousands of square kilometres of land to which Indian troops had access until May 2020.
In particular, the External Affairs Minister’s comments represent an acceptance of Chinese control over Demchok and the strategic Depsang Plains where Chinese troops continue to block access to soldiers at the critical Y-Junction, preventing them from accessing Patrol Points 10, 11, 11A, 12 and 13, Mr. Ramesh said.
“Chinese troops remain in place despite 21 rounds of military talks over four years. Where withdrawals have been negotiated, the Modi government has accepted buffer zones that lie predominantly in areas that Indian troops once freely accessed,” he added.
‘Bland statement of MEA’
Mr. Ramesh pointed out that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reacting to a video showing PLA troops harassing and blocking shepherds’ access to grazing areas near Patrolling Points 35 and 36 in the Chushul sector, reacted rather blandly by saying “both countries are well aware of their respective traditional grazing zone. Any spat, controversy, or dispute is dealt with by the established mechanism”. Instead of asserting the Indian position, the government asked the shepherds not to return to the area.
“For four years, the Modi government has tried to cover up the worst territorial setback in six decades for India with its DDLJ approach: Deny, Distract, Lie and Justify. Mr Jaishankar’s latest statement only highlights the extent of the Modi government’s submission to Chinese aggression,” Mr. Ramesh said.
