What about Chinese incursions, Congress leaders ask Modi

The Congress on Sunday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the “incursions” into Indian territory by China and the increased “belligerence” of “otherwise friendly neighbours like Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives” under his leadership. The party was responding to Mr. Modi’s attack on the Katchatheevu issue.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge posted a statement on X, saying that while India and the Congress had a history of leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel sacrificing their lives for the integrity of the nation, “You, PM Modi, gave a CLEAN CHIT to China, after 20 bravehearts made the supreme sacrifice in Galwan Valley”.

“You have suddenly woken up to the issues of territorial integrity and national security in your 10th year of misrule. Perhaps, elections are the trigger. Your desperation is palpable,” he added.

Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh also posted on X that the “real threat” to India’s integrity had been coming from China in the form of encroachments into Indian territory over the past few years.

‘Friendly gesture’

Mr. Kharge also clarified that Katchatheevu island had been ceded to Sri Lanka based on a “friendly gesture”, similar to the Land Boundary Agreement executed between India and Bangladesh during Mr. Modi’s first term as Prime Minister.

“On the eve of elections in Tamil Nadu, you are raising this sensitive issue, but your own Govt’s Attorney General, Shri Mukul Rohtagi, in 2014 told the following to the Supreme Court, ‘Katchatheevu went to Sri Lanka by an agreement in 1974… How can it be taken back today? If you want Katchatheevu back, you will have to go to war to get it back’,” he said.

Mr. Ramesh said: “In 1974, the same year that Katchatheevu became part of Sri Lanka, the Sirima BandaranaikeIndira Gandhi Pact allowed the repatriation of 6,00,000 Tamil people from Sri Lanka to India. In a single move, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi secured human rights and dignity for six lakh hitherto stateless people.”