Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday targeted PM Modi over the ongoing standoff with China. He accused the Prime Minister of maintaining complete silence on the issue. Kharge expressed concern over Beijing’s activities in Arunachal Pradesh and the widening trade deficit with China. In a post on the social media platform X, he wrote that China has been given a lot of clean chits and that PM Modi should put the truth before the country.
Kharge’s 3 Questions
Kharge sought answers from the Prime Minister on three fronts: national security, economic security and diplomatic accountability.
1. National Security
According to Kharge, the continuing confrontation with the PLA (Chinese army) in Arunachal Pradesh has been confirmed by the ITBP DG, which is deeply worrying. He asked whether another serious standoff is developing after Doklam and Galwan. He recalled that reports of Chinese intrusion near Taksing had emerged in August, yet even 47 days after the Corps Commander-level talks at Vacha-Damai, the confrontation continues. His question was whether India’s patrolling access has been affected. He added that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and asked why the nation is being kept in the dark.
2. Economic Security
Since the martyrdom of 20 Indian soldiers in Galwan (from FY 2020-21), imports from China have risen by 102%.
India’s trade deficit with China has increased by 155% to $112.16 billion.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has also admitted that China obstructs Indian exports.
Despite this, the government is easing restrictions on Chinese investment and considering extending PLI benefits to eligible China-linked companies.
Kharge’s question: Has ‘Make in India’ now turned into ‘Import from China’?
3. Diplomatic Accountability
Kharge listed at least 23 meetings and conversations between PM Modi and Xi Jinping, 25 rounds of Special Representatives talks with NSA Ajit Doval, 36 WMCC meetings, and repeated SCO and BRICS summits. He asked what concrete outcomes have emerged from these, and whether India’s patrolling rights from before May 2020 have been fully restored.
“We Need Accountability, Not Photo-Ops”
Kharge said he has full faith in the armed forces, but national security requires accountability, not diplomatic photo-ops and “hug diplomacy”. He said that instead of attacking the Opposition, PM Modi should take Parliament and the country into confidence.
