New Delhi, Dec 8 (UNI) Not satisfied with the recent statement made by the government on India's relation with China in the Parliament, the Congress on Sunday demanded to debate the 'full gamut' of the India-China relationship.
In a statement issued by party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "This discussion should focus on both strategic and economic policy, especially since our dependence on China has increased economically, even as it unilaterally changed the status quo on our borders over four years back".
Ramesh said, "The Congress has studied the recent suo moto statement made by the External Affairs Minister (EAM) in both Houses of Parliament titled “Recent Developments in India's Relations with China”. It is unfortunate, but typical of the Modi government, that MPs were not permitted to seek any clarifications".
He said the party '"while fully appreciating the sensitive nature of many aspects of India-China border relations", has put four questions on the statement issued by the Modi Government.
The Rajya Sabha members said, "The statement claims that “the House is well aware of the circumstances leading up to the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in June 2020. It is an unfortunate reminder that the very first official communication to the nation on this crisis came on 19 June 2020 when the PM provided a clean chit publicly to China and falsely stated: “Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai”. Not only was this an insult to our fallen soldiers but it also weakened India's position in subsequent negotiations. Whatever prompted the PM to make this assertion?"
The Congress leader said that Army chief Upendra Dwivedi had said in a statement in October that ”As far as we are concerned, we want to go back to the status quo of April 2020… thereafter we will be looking at disengagement, de-escalation and normal management of the LAC.” However, the MEA statement stated that “the two sides positively affirmed the implementation of the most recent disengagement agreement which completed the resolution of the issues that emerged in 2020.” Does this not reveal a shift in our official position?"
He asked why has the Chinese government yet to corroborate any details about the disengagement in Depsang and Demchok? Have traditional grazing rights for Indian livestock herders been restored? Will there be unfettered access to our traditional patrolling points? Have the buffer zones ceded during previous negotiations been taken back by India?"
Ramesh said, the INC reiterates the demand it has been making for the past few years—that Parliament must, to reflect a collective national resolve, be given an opportunity to debate the full gamut of the India-China relationship.
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