Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 13: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy, questioning what he described as an excessive focus on personal ties with foreign leaders and stressing that India's diplomacy must be guided by national interest.
Taking a swipe at Modi's widely noted embraces with foreign leaders, Rahul Gandhi said diplomacy could not be reduced to “hugging other leaders” and asserted that the Prime Minister's primary responsibility was to safeguard India's national interests.
Addressing a plenary session of the Congress here, Rahul Gandhi referred to the conflict involving Iran and claimed that India could have seized an opportunity to mediate.
“Instead, Pakistan stepped in, leaving PM Modi wondering how it had happened,” he said.
The Congress leader also claimed that he was receiving information from within the Prime Minister's Office.
On China, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Beijing had barred Indian patrols in Arunachal Pradesh and claimed that the “bravado” of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi had been completely deflated.
He further accused the Union government of contacting newspapers and media organisations to prevent the issue from being published or broadcast.
Recalling the Galwan clash, Rahul Gandhi said the Prime Minister had claimed that China had not taken even an inch of Indian territory, while the Army maintained that land had been seized.
“What message did this send to China? During discussions, the Chinese side countered by saying we were mistaken because our own Prime Minister had stated no land was lost. These people have destroyed our foreign policy and weakened the country internally,” he alleged.
Rahul Gandhi also alleged that those in power had neither an understanding of India's traditions nor sufficient regard for them.
“They talk of things from three thousand years ago but fail to understand the reality of modern India. This India can be understood only by allowing people to speak, which they refuse to do,” he said.
Recounting an incident outside the Prime Minister's residence, Rahul Gandhi claimed that a police officer had whispered to him about removing them.
He also questioned why Prime Minister Modi did not hold press conferences.
“I used to think there must be some strategy behind it. But after sitting in a room for five minutes, I realised the matter could be resolved in just five minutes,” he remarked.
He further claimed that the BJP-led Union government was aware of the Congress' strength.
Rahul Gandhi also recounted an incident in Parliament, claiming that while walking past an area where the Prime Minister enters, he overheard a BJP leader telling another, “He doesn't fit into any mould, whereas we do.”