Congress questions Modi-Xi meeting, cites silence on Chinese aggression

The Congress on Sunday sought to frame Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping against the backdrop of border tensions and economic concerns, questioning whether the BJP-led Centre government was “conceding ground” to Beijing.

In a post on X, Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh recalled the June 2020 Galwan valley clash, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed, and accused the Prime Minister of subsequently giving China “an infamous clean chit” in his remarks on June 19 that year.

He argued that Beijing continues to capitalise on that statement.

Ramesh said the Army has consistently demanded restoration of the pre-2020 status quo in Ladakh, but despite the lack of progress, the Modi government was “pushing forward on reconciliation” and “de facto legitimising Chinese territorial aggression.”

Referring to the Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul Singh’s remarks on the China-Pakistan “jugalbandi” during Operation Sindoor, Ramesh said the Centre had “quietly accepted this unholy alliance as fait accompli and is now rewarding China with state visits.”

He also cited China’s plan to build a massive hydel project on the Yarlung Tsangpo, warning of “grave implications” for India’s Northeast. On the trade front, he alleged that “uncontrolled dumping” of Chinese imports continues to devastate Indian MSMEs, while the government has allowed Chinese importers “free rein.”

“Is the ‘new normal’ to be defined by Chinese aggression and bullying and our Government’s spinelessness?” Ramesh asked, casting the Modi-Xi meeting as a troubling signal for India’s security and economy.