Congress Slams Modi: In the midst of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s international visits, the opposition Congress party has raised concerns over India’s diplomatic stance with China. As Modi travels to Japan and is scheduled to visit China, Congress alleged that India is being “forced” into normalizing relations with China, which they claim is trying to exploit the perceived downturn in Indo-US relations.
Opposition Criticism: Manipur Left Behind
Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, expressed his discontent, saying, “The Frequently Flying (and more frequently lying) Prime Minister is off to Japan and China. His visit to China is a moment of some reckoning for India. We are being forced to normalise relations with China largely on their terms, with China trying to take advantage of the downturn in Indo US ties as well.”
The party also criticized the government for allegedly neglecting domestic issues, highlighting the situation in Manipur. “Even as the PM jets off abroad, the long-suffering people of Manipur are still awaiting his visit there to heal the wounds of May 2023. He has simply washed his hands off Manipur, which stands as a tragic testimony to the blundering of the Union Home Minister,” Ramesh said.
Historical Context and Diplomatic Concerns
The Congress leader further recalled past statements and military developments, pointing to China’s coordination with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and the 2020 remark by Modi, “Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai,” which Ramesh claims weakened India’s negotiating position. According to him, this has left India with little room to maneuver during the current diplomatic engagement with Beijing.
Modi Stresses Strategic Cooperation
Prime Minister Modi, on the other hand, expressed confidence in his visit. During the Japan leg of the trip on August 29-30, Modi emphasized that strengthening civilizational and cultural ties between India and Japan would benefit both nations. From Japan, he will travel to China for a two day visit to Tianjin to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) annual summit on August 31 and September 1. The talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to focus on further steps to normalize bilateral ties, which were strained following the eastern Ladakh border row.
Balancing Diplomacy and Domestic Concerns
As India navigates the delicate balance between strengthening regional alliances and managing border tensions, the dialogue surrounding Indo China relations remains heated, both internationally and within domestic political circles.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available statements and reports. It does not intend to promote any political stance or opinion.
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