Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the nation regarding the situation at the India-China border, following reports of ongoing clashes in Arunachal Pradesh. Kharge expressed deep concern over statements attributed to the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) regarding the border situation.
In a post on X, Kharge shared a video clip featuring the ITBP Director General and questioned the government on national and economic security concerns. He asked, "After Doklam and Galwan, is another serious conflict unfolding? Reports of Chinese incursions near Demchok surfaced last August. It has been 47 days since commander-level talks were held, yet the clashes continue. Does this mean India's access to patrolling points has been blocked? Arunachal Pradesh is an inseparable part of India. Why is the nation being kept in the dark?"
Kharge also highlighted economic trends, noting that since the 2020-21 Galwan Valley clash, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed, Chinese imports to India have surged by 102 percent. He pointed out that India's trade deficit with China has risen by 155 percent, reaching $112.16 billion. He further criticized the government's consideration of easing investment restrictions for Chinese-linked firms and offering Production Linked Incentive (PLI) benefits, questioning if the 'Make in India' initiative has effectively become 'Import from China.'
Questioning the efficacy of diplomatic efforts, Kharge noted that since May 2020, Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have held 23 meetings and discussions. He also cited 25 meetings involving National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, 36 Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meetings, and various summits including the SCO and BRICS. He asked, "What concrete results have these meetings yielded? Have India's pre-May 2020 patrolling rights been fully restored?"
Concluding his statement, Kharge emphasized that while the nation has full faith in its armed forces, the government must be held accountable for national security. "National security requires accountability, not just diplomatic hugs and photo opportunities. Instead of attacking the opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi must provide clarity and confidence to Parliament and the nation," he stated.
