On Tuesday, Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of Defence launched a scathing attack at Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accusing him of making false claims about the Army Chief’s remarks regarding the India-China border situation. Singh clarified that the statement attributed to the Army Chief by the Congress leader had never been made.
In a post shared on X, the Defence Minister wrote, “Shri Rahul Gandhi in his speech in Parliament on 03 February 2025 made false allegations about the statement of the Army Chief on the situation on the India-China border. The Army Chief’s remarks referred only to the disturbance of traditional patrolling by both sides. He also mentioned that these practices have been restored to their traditional pattern as part of the recent disengagement. Government has shared these details in Parliament.”
He asserted, “The words attributed to the Army Chief by Shri Rahul Gandhi were never spoken by him at any time. It is a matter of deep regret that Shri Rahul Gandhi should indulge in irresponsible politics on matters of national interest”. The Defence Minster further wrote, “If at all there is Indian Territory into which China has come, this is 38,000 sq. km in Aksai Chin as a result of the 1962 conflict and 5,180 sq. km. illegally ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963. Shri Rahul Gandhi may consider introspecting about this phase of our history.”
On Monday, Rahul Gandhi addressed the India-China border issue, saying that Beijing is now sitting on over 4,000 sq km of our land. He also accused the Army of contradicting the government’s claim that no land had been surrendered to China. Gandhi asserted, “The Prime Minister has denied it and the Army has contradicted the Prime Minister that China is sitting on 4000 sq km of our territory”.
He also raised concerns about India’s defence sector being dependent on Chinese imports, warning that the country would be reliant on Chinese-made components. He said, “If and when we fight a war with China, we will be fighting with Chinese electric motors, Chinese batteries, and Chinese optics, and we will be buying Chinese motors, Chinese optics, and Chinese batteries”.
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