New Delhi: On the back of yet another report based on satellite images that purport to show China’s ingress into Ladakh, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said that the Narendra Modi government must take the nation into confidence on the situation with China.
“How can China build a military base near Pangong Tso, on a land which was under Indian occupation, until May 2020?” Kharge asked in a long post on X in which he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was keeping the truth about the situation from Indian people.
A standoff between India and China in Ladakh in May 2020 is yet unresolved. In June that year, a violent clash in the Galwan Valley led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers. Multiple rounds of talks at various levels has not led to meaningful disengagement. Often, there are reports of China’s advance into the area.
Kharge posted a Hindustan Times report which said that satellite images had shown China was digging in close to the Pangong Lake.
He wrote:
Even as we enter the 5th year of the “CLEAN CHIT” given by PM [Narendra Modi] on Galwan, where our brave soldiers sacrificed their lives, China continues to impinge upon our territorial integrity!
Kharge was referring to Modi’s claim in a meeting with chief ministers in June 2020 that “no one has intruded into our territory” – an assertion which contradicted government statements.
Kharge added:
Just to recall –
10th April 2024 – PM Modi in an interview to foreign press failed to put forth India’s case strongly at the global stage.
13th April 2024 – EAM’s statement that “China has not occupied any of our land” exposed Modi Govt’s Meek Policy towards China!
4th July 2024 – Even though EAM meets his Chinese counterpart and says “Respecting the LAC and ensuring peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential…”
“…China continues to be belligerent on occupying our territory and constructing a military base at Sirijap, reportedly a land that was under Indian control? Modi Govt is responsible for not maintaining the status quo ante at the LAC [Line of Actual Control]. We have lost possession of 26 Patrolling Points (PP) out of 65 including points in Depsang Plains, Demchok and Gogra Hot Springs area,” Kharge wrote.
“‘Modi Ki Chinese Guarantee’ continues as his government wears 56-inch big Chinese Blinkers on its Laal Aankh!” he added.
He wrote that the Congress is reiterating its demand to take the nation into confidence on the border situation at the LAC.
