Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 15: The Congress party on Tuesday pressed for a comprehensive debate on China in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, following External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar’s comments on a potential “re-normalisation and resetting” of India-China relations.
Jaishankar, during a rare visit to China—his first since the 2020 Galwan clashes—met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and spoke of improving bilateral ties. The visit was on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and Jaishankar suggested that normalised relations could yield "positive outcomes."
Reacting strongly, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh demanded transparency and accountability on the evolving China policy. "If the Indian Parliament could debate the China situation in 1962 at the height of invasion, why not now?" he questioned in a post on X, urging the Prime Minister to allow an open discussion on national security and strategic concerns.
Ramesh warned against what he called premature optimism, citing China’s recent actions that allegedly undermine Indian interests. He argued that any talk of warming ties must be examined critically, especially given China’s increasing support to Pakistan, restrictions on critical exports to India, and ongoing issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Referring to 'Operation Sindoor', Ramesh said China was offering real-time intelligence to Pakistan, using the region as a testing ground for its warfare and surveillance technology. He highlighted the Indian Army’s Deputy Chief Lt Gen Rahul R Singh’s statement that India had faced three adversaries, including China, during that operation.
He also expressed concern over China's restricted exports of vital materials like rare-earth magnets, tunnel boring machines, and speciality fertilisers, which could have ripple effects across India's telecom, electronics, and pharmaceutical sectors, all heavily dependent on Chinese imports.
On border matters, Ramesh claimed that Indian patrols in key areas like Depsang, Demchok, and Chumar still require Chinese concurrence, and that buffer zones in Galwan, Hot Springs, and Pangong Tso lie within India’s claim line—effectively reducing access for Indian troops.
He also criticised the government for acknowledging China as the “bigger economy” and allegedly giving it a "clean chit" on territorial violations, which he said emboldens Beijing in its international narrative.
The Congress reiterated that it has been pushing for a debate on the China issue since 2020, arguing that a national consensus is essential as India faces growing security and economic challenges from a rapidly ascending global power.
The demand sets the stage for a potentially heated session of Parliament, as questions over territorial sovereignty, strategic autonomy, and economic dependency dominate the conversation around India-China relations.