Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led central government came under heavy fire from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday for not doing enough to counter China's increasing economic and strategic assertiveness. Kharge claimed in a strongly worded post on the social media site X (formerly Twitter) that the government had done nothing to stop Beijing's recent trade restrictions and its contempt for Indian industries.
Kharge expressed grave concerns about the government's strategy and outlined three key points: China's increased export restrictions on rare earth minerals and speciality fertilisers, the reported exodus of Chinese officials from India's manufacturing sector, and the Center's general inaction in the face of growing tensions and economic reliance.
He claimed that despite ongoing border tensions, Chinese companies were still able to operate freely in India, casting doubt on the legitimacy of important government programs like "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-reliant India).
"Isn't it true that the Modi government, which has failed miserably at "Make in India" and "Self-reliant India," ignored Doklam and Galwan and gave Chinese companies the benefit of the doubt while also making it simpler to grant Chinese nationals visas so they can take advantage of the PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme?" In his post, Kharge wrote.
Kharge cited recent media reports to highlight China's purported withdrawal of officials from India's manufacturing sector, which he interpreted as an indication of Beijing's reduced economic involvement in India. He added that China had placed stringent export limitations on rare earth magnets and other vital minerals that are essential to a number of Indian industries, such as the production of automobiles, electric vehicles, defence, and currency printing. He claimed that these limitations were seriously impeding domestic capabilities.
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"Is it not true that the Modi administration is doing nothing about this, and Chinese officials have not even given the Indian Automobile Industry delegation an official appointment or their consent?" Kharge asked. Kharge then turned to agriculture, accusing the Centre of ignoring Indian farmers by claiming that China had ceased exporting speciality fertilisers to India while still supplying other nations. He pointed out that India imports almost 80 per cent of these fertilisers from China, which are essential for increasing fruit and vegetable productivity.
He warned that the consequences could be disastrous for India's agricultural sector, especially for small and marginal farmers, and asked, "Will this not harm our millions of farmers, who are already struggling with the crisis of Urea and DAP fertilisers?"
Kharge also cited the battle in the Galwan Valley in 2020, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers, and charged Prime Minister Modi with minimising the seriousness of Chinese aggression. The "Chinese guarantee" offered by your government is perpetual. You gave China a "clean chit" five years ago following the sacrifice of twenty valiant soldiers in Galwan. He said, "It seems like we are just watching helplessly as China takes full advantage of it today." In his comments, Kharge urged more forceful action to safeguard India's strategic and economic interests while attempting to paint the government as being lenient towards China in spite of growing provocations.
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