The Congress on Tuesday launched a sharp critique of the Narendra Modi government’s China policy, accusing it of repeatedly compromising India’s strategic interests, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.
The party described the relationship with the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) as “hypocritical” and opaque.
Addressing a press conference, Congress Media and Publicity Department chairman Pawan Khera labeled the BJP-led government’s approach to China as a “meek surrender”, alleging that Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy had emboldened Beijing despite multiple provocations and violations. “A meek surrender is the most fitting description of the BJP’s China policy,” Khera stated.
He added that the government’s hypocrisy had confused India’s foreign policy, turning what was once projected as a tough stance (“Laal Aankh”) into submissive gestures (“Laal Salaams”) toward the CPC.
China recently reiterated its territorial claims over the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, dismissing India’s objections to infrastructure development there. Khera accused the Modi government of undermining India’s national interests, citing the 2020 Galwan Valley clash where 20 Indian soldiers died. He criticized Modi for seemingly endorsing China’s expansionist ambitions post-Galwan.
The Congress leader also highlighted China’s military support to Pakistan and noted that despite India’s Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul R Singh identifying China as an adversary during Operation Sindoor, the government intends to lift bans on Chinese companies.
He listed several grievances, including China deploying advanced air defense systems and supplying Pakistan with missiles aimed at India, while the Modi government agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra on terms favorable to China. He also criticized Modi’s silence on claims by Chinese and US leaders about their intervention to prevent war between India and Pakistan.
The party accused Beijing of economic coercion by banning exports of specialized fertilizers and restricting rare earth minerals critical to India’s agriculture and industry. Despite this, the Modi government continues to issue tourist visas to Chinese nationals.
Strategic concerns were raised about China’s persistent attempts to intrude into the Siliguri Corridor, build military infrastructure near Pangong Tso, establish buffer zones in eastern Ladakh, and construct villages close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Khera said the pre-May 2020 status quo has not been restored, yet the government remains inactive.
He condemned China’s claims on Shaksgam Valley, renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh, and depicting Indian territories like Aksai Chin in its maps. Despite these claims, Modi invited the CPC to the BJP office and allowed Chinese investments in India’s electronics sector.
Khera also pointed out contradictions in policy, such as procuring smart meters from blacklisted Chinese companies, the alleged unbanning of Chinese apps after bans, and claims that banned Chinese firms contributed to the PM CARES Fund.
Warning of ecological and security risks, he criticized China’s plan to build what he called the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra, labeling it a potential “water bomb” threatening India’s water security in the Northeast. He accused the government of ignoring this threat.
Despite repeated Chinese incursions, detentions of Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh, and a growing trade deficit with China (which has increased by 56 percent since Galwan), the government has not discussed China policy in Parliament, Khera said, adding that the nation is kept in the dark.
The Congress highlighted what it called the BJP’s “continuous and cosy” engagement with the CPC, citing at least 12 interactions between BJP leaders and Chinese officials since 2008, including visits by senior BJP figures to China and meetings at BJP headquarters.
Khera challenged the BJP’s criticism of Congress-China interactions, questioning what really occurs in BJP-CPC meetings and the nature of collaboration between the CCP and BJP-RSS. He asked whether the BJP has ever raised issues such as Chinese transgressions, Ladakh status quo, trade imbalances, bans on rare earths and fertilizers, detention of Indians, or China’s military support to Pakistan during these talks.
Demanding accountability, Khera called for “full transparency” in the government’s China policy, including the public disclosure of agendas, outcomes, and minutes of all closed-door meetings between CCP and BJP-RSS representatives.