New Delhi, Sept 2026 : The Congress on Sunday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, raising concerns over the government’s approach to India-China relations and alleging a mismatch between its public statements and actions concerning Beijing.
Congress General Secretary and communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh, in a detailed statement, accused the Narendra Modi government of pursuing what he described as “calibrated capitulation” before China.
Ramesh questioned Modi’s remarks made after the 2020 India-China border clashes and alleged that India had surrendered traditional patrolling and grazing rights in parts of eastern Ladakh.
He asked whether the Prime Minister’s June 19, 2020 statement that no one had entered Indian territory had weakened India’s negotiating position following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes.
The Congress leader also raised concerns over what he described as China’s continuing territorial assertions in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
“There have been reports of Chinese encroachment in Arunachal Pradesh, including loss of India’s access to patrolling points and fresh standoffs,” Ramesh claimed.
He alleged that China had hardened its position on Arunachal Pradesh by renaming places, reiterating its claims over territory it refers to as “South Tibet” and proceeding with the proposed 60,000-MW Medog mega-dam on the Brahmaputra’s Great Bend.
According to Ramesh, the dam project could have serious implications for water security in India’s northeastern region.
His comments came a day after Prime Minister Modi told Xi that peace and tranquillity along the India-China border remained an “essential component” of efforts to build and strengthen bilateral relations.
Congress Raises Questions Over Pakistan-China Ties
Ramesh also questioned what he described as a softening of the government’s position regarding China’s alleged support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
He asked whether the change in tone was part of an effort to improve the atmosphere ahead of Xi’s visit to India.
Ramesh referred to statements made by senior military officials, claiming that Lieutenant General Rahul Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff, had publicly spoken on July 4, 2025, about China’s “deep and pivotal role” in supporting Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
He contrasted this with remarks attributed to former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan at a lecture at the Vivekananda International Foundation on August 25, 2026.
The Congress leader argued that the apparent difference in assessments required an explanation from the government.
Trade Deficit With China Also Under Fire
Ramesh further criticised the government over India’s growing trade deficit with China, describing the situation as a major concern for domestic industry.
“Why have you allowed the trade deficit with China to reach record levels?” he asked.
According to Ramesh, India’s trade deficit with China reached a record $112.6 billion in 2025-26, which he claimed was adversely affecting large sections of Indian industry, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
He also expressed concern over India’s continued dependence on China for critical raw materials, manufacturing components and intermediate goods, describing the level of dependence as “dangerous”.
The Congress leader sought a clear roadmap from the Modi government to reduce the trade deficit and decrease India’s dependence on Chinese supplies.
Ramesh’s remarks came amid renewed high-level diplomatic engagement between India and China, with Modi and Xi holding bilateral talks on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
The Congress has repeatedly demanded greater transparency from the government on the border situation, economic dependence on China and the broader trajectory of bilateral relations.
By raising questions on security, territorial claims, trade and China’s relationship with Pakistan, the opposition party sought to challenge the government’s handling of ties with India’s largest Asian neighbour.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
