The Congress on Sunday took on the Modi Government over its foreign policy and also India’s face-off with China on the Line of Actual Control.
Former Union Minister Anand Sharma said he is “amused” by Foreign Minister S Jaishankar’s defence of a “directionless foreign policy” and also questioned the Centre’s use of the armed forces for “partisan propaganda”. The party also attacked the Centre over continued Chinese threat in capturing the Indian territory due to the poor vision of the Modi Government.
In a series of tweets, Sharma came in support of party colleague Rahul Gandhi who, had on Friday, criticised the Government over its handling of foreign affairs. Jaishankar had then counter-attacked with examples to show India’s improved position in global geopolitics.
“Rhetoric and tweets do not change ground reality. Neighbourhood first has been a priority of India’s foreign policy but sadly derailed by cavalier approach,” Sharma tweeted.
The Narendra Modi Government’s foreign affairs policies have been criticised by the Congress, particularly in the light of border disputes with both China and Nepal.
“Dr Jaishankar’s reference to Mumbai terror attack was oddly out of place. As India’s Ambassador and senior diplomat, he was articulating India’s position which, for political expediency, he has chosen to criticize and disown,” said Sharma.
“Do I have to remind (you) that Indian Army, Airforce and Navy existed before May 2014 and their heroics and valour (are) respected globally. (The) Army belongs to the nation and fights under the tricolour. Advising in national interest. Do not politicise or monopolise our defence forces,” Sharma said.
Sharma also challenged S Jaishankar’s defence of relations with Nepal, writing: “India & Nepal have historically shared a relationship bases on trust, friendship, and mutual respect. The present drift and tension are a matter of national concern”.
“Foreign policy must have gravitas and depth. Engagement with strategic partners demands seriousness... and reduced to event management. You may create illusions by your optics, but history will judge you by outcomes,” Sharma said in another of his tweet.
For his part, Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said there is an extremely worrying and a telling picture that Chinese Army has occupied and is continuing to undertake construction in the Depsang and Daulat Beg Oldi Sector on our territory, where they have occupied our territory across the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
“China continues to occupy 8 kilometres inside our LAC, our territory, between Finger 4 to Finger 8 and about 3 thousand Chinese soldiers are present there. On the contrary, Modi Government has pushed our armed forces into moving back from the ITBP Administrative Base at Finger 4 to an area between Finger 2 and Finger 3. The question is why!? ,” Surjewala stated.
The party asked five questions to PM. He sought to know when every newspaper report, satellite images, Army Generals and now the statement of our own Defence Minister clearly establishes that the statement of the Prime Minister about nobody having occupied our territory is apparently false, so, did the Prime Minister mislead the All Party Meeting on the June 19, 2020?
“What is the meaning of the statement of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, when he said that there is no guarantee of finding a solution in the ongoing talks with the Chinese? Has Modi Government accepted Chinese transgressions and has also admitted that they have no solution to push the Chinese back into their own territory behind the LAC between India and China,” Surjewala asked.
The Congress also sought to know whether it is correct that China is continuing constructions in the Daulat Beg Oldi and also the Depsang Sector?. “Prime Minister must come forward and answer these questions in light of the statement of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and in light of the new developments and the satellite imagery,” Surjewala said.