Congress Urges National Debate on China's Strategic Role

New Delhi, Jun 19 (PTI) — The Congress has reiterated its call for a comprehensive debate on China's strategic position, which it has been advocating for the last five years. The party hopes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will heed this request in the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament.

Emphasizing the need for a unified national approach, the opposition party underscored the importance of collectively addressing the national security and economic challenges posed by China's rise as a global manufacturing titan and the world's second-largest economy. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh remarked, "Today marks the fifth anniversary of Prime Minister Modi’s contentious statement about China, where he claimed, 'Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai,' made shortly after the tragic loss of 20 Indian soldiers in Galwan on June 15, 2020."

This episode culminated in a withdrawal agreement on October 21, 2024, which mandates Indian patrols to obtain Chinese assent to reach their designated patrol points in areas such as Depsang, Demchok, and Chumar," he stated in a post on X.

Ramesh further claimed that buffer zones in Galwan, Hot Spring, and Pangong Tso predominantly fall within India's claim line and seemingly hinder Indian troops' access to areas they could freely reach before April 2020. This situation falls short of the status quo sought by the Indian Armed Forces and represents a significant territorial setback, he added.

Meanwhile, imports from China are skyrocketing, particularly in electronics, electric batteries, and solar cells, according to Ramesh. He highlighted that critical sectors like telecom, pharmaceuticals, and electronics rely heavily on Chinese imports. He noted, "The trade deficit with China has surged to a record USD 99.2 billion in 2024-25, while exports to China are now lower than in 2013-14, despite a weaker rupee meant to enhance export competitiveness."

Ramesh criticized the External Affairs Minister's controversial statement, "Look, they are the bigger economy. What am I going to do? As a smaller economy, am I going to pick up a fight with the bigger economy?" which, according to him, reflects India's deference to China's economic dominance.

The Congress leader further revealed that China plays a crucial role in Pakistan's military strategies, especially during Operation Sindoor. "Their support includes not only weapon systems like the J-10C fighter and PL-15E air-to-air missile but also extends into AI, multi-domain operations, and stealth technologies. Pakistan is anticipated to receive up to 40 J-35 stealth fighters from China soon," Ramesh elaborated.

He warned of a potential single-front challenge spanning India's northern and western borders, which seems increasingly plausible. "The Congress party has sought a detailed debate on China for five years. This discussion remains pending, and we hope the Prime Minister will consent to it in the next Parliament session," Ramesh expressed.

He concluded by stressing the urgency for a national consensus to navigate the national security and economic challenges posed by China, which could potentially surpass the USA as the leading global economy in a decade.

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