New Delhi: Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the fifth anniversary of what he described as Modi’s “infamous clean chit to China”. Ramesh referred to PM Modi’s statement from June 2020, days after the deadly Galwan Valley clash, where the Prime Minister had declared, “Na koi hamari seema mein ghusa hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai” (No one has intruded into our territory, nor is anyone inside).
Ramesh criticized the government’s handling of the border standoff, particularly the withdrawal agreement signed on October 21, 2024, which he claimed led to a “tremendous territorial setback for India“. According to Ramesh, this agreement effectively restricts Indian patrols in key regions like Depsang, Demchok, and Chumar unless China consents.
He further alleged that buffer zones created in areas such as Galwan, Hot Spring, and Pangong Tso predominantly fall within Indian territory, preventing Indian troops from accessing areas they had patrolled freely before April 2020.
“This is far from the status quo our Armed Forces were demanding. Instead, it marks a significant loss in territorial access and operational freedom,” said Ramesh.
Shifting focus to economic concerns, the Congress leader highlighted India’s growing trade dependency on China. He noted that Chinese imports—especially electronics, electric batteries, and solar cells—have surged, while Indian exports to China have fallen below 2013-14 levels, despite a weaker rupee.
He pointed to India’s record $99.2 billion trade deficit with China in 2024-25 and criticized External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s earlier comment that India, as a smaller economy, should not “pick a fight with a bigger economy.”
“This is nothing short of economic surrender,” Ramesh said.
He also raised concerns about China’s strategic support to Pakistan, especially during Operation Sindoor. He alleged that China’s involvement went beyond supplying weapon systems like the J-10C fighter and PL-15E missiles, extending into critical domains like AI, stealth technology, and multi-domain warfare. He warned that Pakistan is likely to receive up to 40 J-35 stealth fighters from China, intensifying the threat of a unified two-front challenge to India.
For the past five years, the Congress party has been demanding a comprehensive debate on China in Parliament. “That demand remains unmet,” Ramesh stated. “We urge the Prime Minister to allow such a discussion in the upcoming Parliament session. It’s time for a national consensus on the pressing security and economic challenges posed by China, whose rise as a global manufacturing hub and major power must be met with serious and unified policymaking.”
Ramesh emphasized that China’s growing influence—both militarily and economically—requires urgent, collective national attention.
