NEW DELHI: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a visit to Japan and China, the Congress party has launched a sharp attack, alleging that India is being “forced” to normalize relations with China on their terms. In a statement on Friday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that China is “trying to take advantage of the downturn in Indo-US ties” to gain an upper hand.
‘Jugalbandi’ and ‘Cowardly Clean Chit’
Taking to X, Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, criticized the government for seemingly forgetting China’s “jugalbandi with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.” He also resurrected a past comment by the Prime Minister, arguing that PM Modi’s “extraordinarily bizarre statement” from June 19, 2020—”Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai” (No one has intruded on our borders, nor is anyone there)—severely damaged India’s negotiating position.
Ramesh called the PM’s upcoming visit to China an “inevitable result of that notorious and cowardly clean chit,” stating that it leaves India with little room to maneuver despite the failure to restore the pre-April 2020 status quo at the border.
Manipur Still Awaiting PM’s Visit
The opposition party also took a swipe at the Prime Minister for his foreign travel, contrasting it with his lack of a visit to the conflict-ridden state of Manipur. “The long-suffering people of Manipur are still awaiting his visit there to heal the wounds of May 2023,” Ramesh said.
He accused the Prime Minister of “simply and stubbornly refus[ing]” to engage with the state, its political leaders, and civil society organizations. Ramesh claimed that PM Modi “has simply washed his hands off Manipur” and placed blame for the state’s situation squarely on the Union Home Minister.
In a departure statement, PM Modi exuded confidence that his tour of Japan and China would “further national interests and priorities” and contribute to regional and global peace. He is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday to discuss normalizing bilateral ties.