Congress chief Rahul Gandhi called on government to be transparent about confrontation with China
New Delhi:
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi urged government to “be firm and tell India exactly what’s going on” amid rising tensions with China following early military confrontation in Ladakh of the month. Gandhi said the continued silence on the issue leads to “massive speculation and uncertainty” even as India is also battling a coronavirus pandemic that has infected more than 1.6 lakh people in the country.
The comments come two days after Congress called the situation in Ladakh and the tensions with China “a serious national concern” and called on the government to build confidence and respond to the concerns of the people.
“The government’s silence on the border situation with China is fueling massive speculation and uncertainty in times of crisis. The Indian government needs to be clear and tell India exactly what’s going on,” tweeted Rahul Gandhi on Friday. morning.
The government’s silence on the border situation with China is fueling massive speculation and uncertainty in times of crisis.
GOI needs to be clear and tell India exactly what’s going on.
#ChinaIndiaFaceoff
– Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 29, 2020
Gandhi made similar demands on Tuesday, reminding the government that “transparency is necessary” at this critical juncture. The congressman also declined to comment further on the issue, saying he needed more information to do so.
“The government should make it clear to the Indian people what exactly is happening at the border. We are hearing different stories, so I don’t want to get into speculation, but it is important that the Indian government make it clear, what is going on the border so that people can understand and have an appropriate position, “he said.
Tension between India and China has increased since a skirmish between soldiers of the two nations in the Pangong Lake region of Ladakh on May 5 and 6, in which several Indian soldiers were injured.
Since then, there have been numerous reports of incursions by Chinese troops, who have also been spotted in motorboats on Lake Pangong. Chinese helicopters have also been seen in the area.
Meanwhile, satellite images have shown the construction of a high-altitude Chinese air base, located just 200 km from Pangong Lake. At least one image showed four fighter jets, believed to be J-11 or J-16 fighters from the Chinese Air Force.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the Chief of the Defense Staff, General Bipin Rawat, all met and briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue.
Meanwhile, government sources on Friday morning countered U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that he had spoken to Prime Minister Modi about the standoff with China.
Trump made a surprising statement on Thursday – reiterating his offer to mediate in the dispute. The offer was firmly rejected by the Indian government, which declared: “Our engagement on the diplomatic front continues in Delhi as in Beijing”.
Trump previously offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir; these offers have also been firmly rejected by New Delhi on several occasions.
