Congress Criticises PM Modi for 'Calibrated Capitulation' to China

Congress leader Ramesh criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach towards China following Modi's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He described the response as a 'calibrated capitulation' amid ongoing border tensions and economic challenges, a day after Modi stressed peace and tranquillity along the frontier as essential for bilateral development.

Ramesh recalled the night of June 15-16, 2020, when twenty Indian soldiers lost their lives in hand-to-hand combat with Chinese troops in the Galwan valley, marking the first such loss on the border in 45 years. He asserted that no Chinese troops have entered Indian territory since then, stating, "Na koi humari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai."

He accused China of territorial advances in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, citing actions such as renaming towns and reasserting claims. Ramesh also mentioned China's construction of the 60,000-megawatt Medog mega-dam on the Brahmaputra river. He questioned China's support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and highlighted India's trade deficit with China, which reached a record $112.6 billion in 2025-26, severely impacting Indian industries, especially MSMEs.

Despite Modi and Xi welcoming peace as a basis for development, Ramesh criticised the Indian government's stance, saying, "India's relations with China is one thing, but what has been in evidence on your part is calibrated capitulation." He emphasised that to achieve great things, "one should always put the people first."