PM’s 2020 remarks ‘weakened us immeasurably’: Congress after patrol pact with China
The Congress has alleged that PM Modi in his remarks on June 19, 2020, gave a “clean chit” to China on the border transgressions
With India announcing an agreement with China on patrolling along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, the Congress has complained that the border situation was not discussed in Parliament even once and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks in 2020 “weakened us immeasurably”.
Monday’s announcement
India on Monday (October 21) announced that it had arrived at an agreement with China on patrolling in the remaining friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The major breakthrough in the festering row between the neighbours came following a series of negotiations over the past few weeks.
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Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri indicated that the agreement will lead to disengagement and a resolution of the issues that had arisen in 2020. It is understood that the agreement pertains to patrolling in Depsang and Demchok areas.
No opportunity to discuss issue: Congress
Congress General Secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said on X, “While we await fuller details of the agreement reached between India and China, it is pertinent to recall that Parliament was not allowed an opportunity for a discussion on the border situation even once these past four and a half years.”
Sharing a video of some remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020, Ramesh added, “And can the nation ever forget these remarks made by the non-biological PM on June 19, 2020, which weakened us immeasurably?”
The Congress has alleged that Prime Minister Modi in his remarks on June 19, 2020, gave a “clean chit” to China on the border transgressions.
Questions on status remain
It is not yet clear whether the agreement announced on Monday facilitates the restoration of patrolling rights that were in place prior to the standoff.
At a media briefing, the foreign secretary said, “Over the last several weeks, Indian and Chinese diplomatic and military negotiators have been in close contact with each other in a variety of forums.
“As a result of these discussions, an agreement has been arrived at patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas, leading to disengagement and a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020.
“We will be taking the next steps on this.”
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Genesis in Galwan clash
The Indian and Chinese militaries have been locked in a standoff since May 2020, and a full resolution of the border row has not yet been achieved though the two sides have disengaged from a number of friction points.
The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following a fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.
(With agency inputs)