New Delhi [India], July 3: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the BJP-led government of failing to counter China’s growing economic and strategic aggression.
In a post on X, Kharge alleged the government had not taken meaningful steps to address China’s recent moves restricting critical exports and undermining Indian industries.
Kharge raised three key concerns:
- Reports that China had withdrawn officials from India’s manufacturing sector, signaling reduced engagement.
- Restrictions on exports of critical components like rare earth minerals and speciality fertilisers essential to industries such as EVs, defence, and even currency production.
- Broader government inaction on Chinese economic and strategic moves despite India’s trade dependence.
He questioned the Modi government’s flagship initiatives:
“Is it not true that the Modi government, which has completely failed on ‘Make in India’ and ‘Self-reliant India,’ forgot Doklam and Galwan and rolled out the ‘red carpet’ for Chinese companies, while also making it easier to issue visas to Chinese citizens to benefit from the PLI scheme?” Kharge asked.
The Congress chief cited media reports suggesting Chinese officials had pulled back from India’s manufacturing sector, alleging this showed Beijing’s reluctance to deepen economic ties. He also claimed China had imposed strict restrictions on rare earth exports critical for sectors like automobiles, EVs, defence, and more, while India’s government had failed to secure necessary supplies.
Kharge alleged further neglect towards farmers, pointing to China’s reported halt of speciality fertiliser exports to India — fertilisers crucial for fruit and vegetable crops, of which India imports 80% from China.
“Will this not harm our millions of farmers, who are already struggling with the crisis of Urea and DAP fertilisers?” Kharge questioned.
He warned the impact could devastate Indian agriculture and small farmers already grappling with rising input costs.
Kharge also criticised PM Modi for giving China a “clean chit” after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed.
“Five years ago, after the sacrifice of 20 brave soldiers in Galwan, you gave China a ‘CLEAN CHIT.’ Today, China is taking full advantage of it, and it seems we are just watching helplessly,” Kharge added.
The Congress president’s remarks come amid heightened India-China tensions and ongoing challenges in trade and border security. (ANI)