The Indian National Congress has launched a strong critique against Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin. The party alleges that Modi remained silent on critical issues, particularly China's support for Pakistan during "Operation Sindoor," and that this silence is "anti-national".
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh has been at the forefront of this criticism, accusing Modi of "cowardly kowtowing" to China and compromising India's national interests. Ramesh argues that Modi's silence on China's "jugalbandi" (duet) with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor is a significant lapse, especially since Indian Army officials have reportedly flagged this coordination. Operation Sindoor allegedly involved China providing support to Pakistan.
Ramesh also attacked Modi's characterization of both India and China as victims of terrorism during the talks. He views this as a departure from India's long-standing accusations against China for its "double standards" and "double-speak" on terrorism. The Congress leader suggests that Modi's stance represents a capitulation, with the "so-called elephant capitulating before the so-called dragon".
The Congress's criticism extends beyond the specific issue of China-Pakistan relations. They accuse Modi of consistently failing to adequately represent Indian interests in bilateral discussions with Beijing. Ramesh pointed to Modi's previous "clean chit" to China after the Galwan clashes in June 2020, suggesting a pattern of weakness in dealing with China.
The timing of the meeting, coinciding with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, is also under scrutiny. Modi's visit marks his first trip to China since the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020, which resulted in military casualties and strained bilateral relations.
Despite the Congress's harsh criticism, the Ministry of External Affairs has stated that Modi and Xi agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation, address terrorism-related challenges, and work towards a "fair" resolution of the border issue. Both leaders reaffirmed that India and China are development partners, not rivals, and stressed that their differences should not be allowed to turn into disputes. They also expressed satisfaction with the disengagement achieved in 2024 along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Furthermore, both countries have recently taken steps to improve relations, including resuming direct flights, easing visa restrictions, and increasing trade and investment. China has also allowed Indian pilgrims to visit Buddhist sites in Tibet. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited India, and Modi has been invited to the BRICS 2026 summit in India.
