image

Dr Satish Misra

A close-up of a person with glasses

Description automatically generated

New Delhi | Thursday | 12 September 2024

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi slammed the Narendra Modi government over its handling of the conflict with China, telling media persons in the US that it is a “disaster” that 4,000 square kilometres of Indian Territory is “occupied” by troops from the neighbouring country while standing firm for a bipartisan foreign policy for the country. 

In a clear enunciation of his party’s approach to foreign relations, the Congress leader indicated that the Congress is in broad agreement with the BJP-led government on other major foreign policy issues, including relations with the US, no talks with Pakistan unless terrorism ends and concerns over extremist elements in Bangladesh.

Rahul Gandhi was addressing a press conference at the prestigious National Press Club on Tuesday-the 10 September made it categorically clear leaving no doubt s whatsoever that he did not want any US role the US in India’s internal affairs.

Answering a question about China, the said: “Well, if you call having Chinese troops in 4,000 square kilometers of our territory handling something well, then maybe. We've got Chinese troops occupying land the size of Delhi in Ladakh. I think that's a disaster. Media doesn't like to write about it." “How would America react if a neighbour occupied 4,000 square kilometers of your territory? Would any president be able to get away with saying that he's handled that well? So, I don't think Modi has handled China well. I think there's no reason Chinese troops should be sitting in our territory,” Gandhi said.

 

Article at a Glance
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticized the Indian government's handling of the conflict with China, stating that it is a "disaster" that 4,000 square kilometers of Indian territory is occupied by Chinese troops.
He emphasized that the Congress party supports a bipartisan foreign policy and agrees with the government on issues like relations with the US, no talks with Pakistan until terrorism ends, and concerns over extremist elements in Bangladesh.
Gandhi also expressed his disapproval of any US role in India's internal affairs, stating that it is for the Indian people to decide. He further condemned violence in various regions, including the Hamas attack on Israel and extremist elements in Bangladesh, and emphasized the need for peaceful resolutions.

 

While supporting Prime Minister Modi's policies on Pakistan, Gandhi said: “Pakistan's instigation of terrorism in our country is holding the two countries back. We are not going to accept Pakistan carrying out terror acts in our country. We're just not going to accept it. And until they keep doing that, there's going to be problems between us.”

When asked if the Kashmir issue is holding the two South Asian nations away from a dialogue, he categorically replied in negative.

Responding to a question on the India-US relationship, Gandhi noted that it has bipartisan support in both countries. “I don't see a big diversion. I don't see Modi diverting very much from our approach with the US. I don't see ourselves changing direction very much from what he's doing. So, I see continuity there,” he said.

He said everyone accepts the fact that the India-US relationship is key for both countries while making it clear that he did not want any role of the US in India’s internal affairs. It is for the people of India to decide.

“The fight for democracy in India is an Indian fight. With all due respect, it has nothing to do with anybody else. It's our problem. And we'll take care of it. We will make sure that democracy is secure,” he went to elaborate.

“However, it's important to understand that Indian democracy is more than just any normal democracy because of its size. If you're talking about a democratic vision of the world, then Indian democracy has a large space in that vision. I think it's important that the world sees Indian democracy as an asset, not just for India, but for the rest of the world. Advising the United States on how they should deal with Modi is not my preserve, it's not my space,” Gandhi said.

Gandhi criticised the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year but said the scale of violence that ensued must stop.

“Look, I think what happened on the 7th of October was absolutely wrong. But, I also think what Israel did and is doing, bombing innocent civilians, and killing women and children, is absolutely wrong and should not be allowed to continue. I'm against violence of any kind. And certainly, the scale of violence, I actually think, is harming Israel. It's harming Israel more than it's helping them,” Gandhi said.

Responding to a question on Bangladesh, Gandhi said: “There are concerns in India about extremist elements in Bangladesh and we share some of those concerns.” “However, I'm confident that things will stabilise in Bangladesh and that we would be able to have a relationship with the current government or any other government after that,” he said.

Gandhi had a meeting with a group of lawmakers at the US Capitol where the issue was discussed.

“We raised it (Bangladesh), and they also spoke to us. Look, we are against any type of violence. And we want it to stop. And it's the responsibility, frankly, of the Bangladeshi government to stop it as soon as possible. From our side, it's the responsibility of our government to put pressure so that that violence stops,” Gandhi said.

---------------

  • Share: