Washington, Sep 11: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has slammed the Narendra Modi government over its handling of the conflict with China, telling reporters here that it is a “disaster” that 4,000 square kilometres of Indian territory is “occupied” by troops from the neighbouring country.
But the Leader of the Opposition 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.
At a press conference at the prestigious National Press Club on Tuesday, Gandhi also asserted that he did not want any US role the US in India's internal affairs.
Answering a question about China, he said: “Well, if you call having Chinese troops in 4,000 square kilometres 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 kilometres 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.
At the press conference, he supported Modi's policies on Pakistan.
“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,” Gandhi, who was on an unofficial four-day trip to the US, said.
He said “No” when asked if the Kashmir issue is holding the two South Asian nations away from a dialogue.
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.
Gandhi asserted 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 said.
“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.
