'Full blown circus': Rahul Gandhi slams EAM Jaishankar after meeting China's Xi

New Delhi: The Congress party on Tuesday intensified its attack on the Centre's China policy, with leader Rahul Gandhi accusing External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar of "destroying India’s foreign policy" following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The party also renewed its demand for a comprehensive debate on China in the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament.3

Reacting to media reports of Jaishankar calling on President Xi and apprising him about recent developments in India-China bilateral ties during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Rahul Gandhi posted on X, "I guess the Chinese foreign minister will come and apprise Modi about recent developments in China-India ties. The EAM is now running a full blown circus aimed at destroying India’s foreign policy."

The Congress's criticism comes a day after Jaishankar's talks with Chinese officials where he stated that the India-China bilateral relationship has been "steadily improving" and that "continued normalisation of our ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes."

However, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh countered this assertion, highlighting China's "total support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor," which reportedly included providing "live inputs" and turning Pakistan into a testing ground for advanced weapon systems. Ramesh also noted Pakistan's likely acquisition of Chinese J-35 stealth fighters and India's continued dependence on Chinese imports across critical sectors, leading to a record trade deficit. He questioned when the government would take the Indian people "into confidence" and hold a detailed parliamentary debate, drawing a parallel to the 1962 Chinese invasion debate.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate further attacked the government, referencing Jaishankar's past statements where he allegedly downplayed China's economic threat. Shrinate also raised concerns about the Pahalgam terror attack, demanding accountability for the terrorists, and alleged links between the BJP and an individual arrested on spying charges for Pakistan, claiming the accused posed as a Haryana BJP member. She questioned what action has been taken against the arrested individual, Jyoti Malhotra, and the information she may have revealed.

The Congress continues to hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will agree to a discussion on China in the forthcoming Monsoon session, breaking a "five-year drought" on the issue and allowing for a national consensus on the critical security and economic challenges posed by China's rise.