Rahul Gandhi Attacks Jaishankar Over Xi Jinping Meeting, Calls Foreign Policy A "Circus"
Gandhi's sharp criticism came in response to Jaishankar's diplomatic engagement with the Chinese leader, with the Congress MP expressing strong disapproval of the interaction. In his pointed remarks, Gandhi suggested that the External Affairs Minister's approach was fundamentally flawed and detrimental to India's international standing.
The Congress party has seized upon the meeting to highlight what they perceive as inconsistencies in the government's China policy, particularly drawing attention to China's historical support for Pakistan during sensitive operations. Party leaders specifically referenced China's backing of Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, using this as evidence of Beijing's unreliable partnership with India.
Gandhi's tweet reflected his frustration with what he views as misguided diplomatic priorities, suggesting that the Chinese foreign minister would likely brief Prime Minister Modi about recent developments in China-India relations. He characterized Jaishankar's diplomatic efforts as a destructive spectacle that was actively harming India's foreign policy objectives.
The Congress party's broader criticism centers on the timing and nature of high-level diplomatic engagement with China, given the complex history of bilateral relations between the two nations. Party members have questioned the wisdom of such meetings when China continues to maintain strategic partnerships with Pakistan, particularly in contexts that could be viewed as contrary to Indian interests.
The attack on Jaishankar represents part of the opposition's ongoing critique of the government's foreign policy approach, with Congress leaders arguing that the current diplomatic strategy lacks coherence and fails to adequately protect India's strategic interests. They contend that engaging with Chinese leadership without addressing fundamental issues in the bilateral relationship sends mixed signals about India's position.
Gandhi's characterization of the situation as a "circus" suggests his belief that the government's diplomatic efforts are more theatrical than substantive, lacking the serious strategic thinking required for effective international relations. This criticism reflects broader opposition concerns about the government's ability to navigate complex geopolitical relationships effectively.
The Congress party's focus on China's support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor serves to remind the public of the historical context that complicates India-China relations. By highlighting this issue, the opposition aims to demonstrate what they see as the contradictions in engaging diplomatically with a nation that has previously acted against Indian interests.
The political sparring over foreign policy reflects deeper disagreements about how India should approach its relationship with China, particularly in light of ongoing border tensions and strategic competition in the region. The opposition's criticism suggests they favor a more confrontational approach rather than diplomatic engagement with Beijing.
This latest exchange between Gandhi and the government over China policy illustrates the polarized nature of foreign policy debates in Indian politics, where diplomatic initiatives often become subjects of intense political controversy and partisan criticism.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
India-US Trade Deal: Aug 1 Deadline Nears... Will The Deal Be Sealed In Time? Piyush Goyal Shares Major Update
New Delhi: A small group of Indian trade negotiators has landed in Washington this week. Their task is urgent. They must try, once again, to untangle the long-pending India-U.S. trade deal that has seen too many rounds, too many delays and now stares down a hard deadline, August 1. The clock is ticking. U.S. President Donald Trump, now in his second term at the White House, has already fired off tariff letters to a long list of countries. Japan, Brazil, South Korea, Thailand and Cambodia, each has received a note – explaining in clear terms why new tariffs are coming. India has not received one. That is only because New Delhi and Washington are still talking. But if there is no deal before the deadline, the letter could arrive. Where Are The Talks Stuck? Washington wants India to lower its tariffs on American agricultural and dairy goods. Milk, wheat, poultry and genetically modified soy, all are on the table. New Delhi, however, is not moving. India's position has been clear. Its farm sector, dairy cooperatives, food security architecture, they cannot take a hit. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has said any agreement must benefit both sides. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has echoed that line. No pressure. No compromise on farmers. No backdoor trade-offs. So far, India has kept these sectors out of most trade deals, including with the United Kingdom and Australia. The same applies here. Indian Team Lands in Washington Led by Special Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, the Indian delegation is back in the U.S. capital, hoping to break the deadlock. The goal is to find a formula, something that can be signed off before Trump's August 1 deadline kicks in and the United States begins slapping tariffs across the board. Goyal says talks are moving 'at speed'. Speaking to reporters, he confirmed that the Indian side is focused on crafting an agreement that works for both countries. There is still time. Barely two weeks. But the message is that the window will not stay open for long. Trump's Tariff Playbook Trump is playing hardball again. Twenty-five countries have already been hit with his new tariff regime. Canada was slapped with 35 percent. Others have seen higher. But in India's case, the U.S. president has dropped a telling hint. While speaking about his global tariff strategy, he said that 'key trading partners' may see lower tariffs, around 15 to 20 percent. And not every country will get a formal letter. It is a signal that if India clinches the deal, it may escape the harshest penalties. Why India Won't Budge On Dairy & Agriculture Behind India's tough stance lies a deeper concern. According to a recent report from the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), any wide-scale entry of subsidised U.S. dairy or poultry goods could damage India's rural economy. Not only small farmers but food security itself could be hit. The report warns against opening the gates to American grain or genetically modified soybeans. Once these products enter Indian markets, they could displace local produce and crush pricing structures. This is not only about trade margins, this is about the long-term sustainability of Indian agriculture. Can A Deal Still Happen? If all goes well in Washington, negotiators may stitch together a limited package. It will not be a full-blown foreign trade agreement (FTA). But it could be enough to avoid Trump's tariff stick. Enough to show progress. Enough to keep the trade lanes open. A senior official said that a breakthrough is still possible before August 1. But it depends on what each side is willing to give, and what each insists on keeping off the table. Until then, all eyes remain on the U.S. capital.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Ila Sharma, ex-Nepal poll commissioner, dies of cardiac arrest
During lunch at her Kathmandu residence on Saturday, Ila Sharma, a former Election Commissioner of Nepal, and S Y Quraishi, the 17th Chief Election Commissioner of India, discussed plans to host some friends in the next few days. A couple of hours later, as she was talking to their next-door neighbour, Sharma, who had been married to Quraishi for a decade, suffered a cardiac arrest. She was 59. 'We had lunch together, and after some rest, she was talking to a friend next door when she suddenly collapsed,' recalled Quraishi, sitting next to her body, which had been kept at her residence for relatives and friends to pay their last respects. Sharma had been rushed to a hospital 500 metres from their residence but didn't make it, he said. Her two daughters from her first marriage are observing a 13-day mourning, and Quraishi said he left it to them to decide how to conduct her last rites. Her funeral was performed at the electric crematorium in the Pashupatinath temple area on Sunday. Her first husband, Nabaraj Poudel, a Nepal police officer, had been killed by Maoist insurgents in the late 1990s in western Nepal. She was working as a journalist with The Rising Nepal, a government daily, at the time, but the responsibility of raising and educating two daughters changed her priorities. She pursued higher studies at England's University of Hull and got a law degree, and once her daughters grew up, she explored new possibilities. She was appointed as an election commissioner in 2013 for a five-year term at the age of 46. It was in this avatar that she met Quraishi, 78. The two had crossed paths at SAARC-level EC seminars and other regular bilateral trainings and meetings in Nepal, India and abroad. Ten years ago, they decided to get married. Sharma was born, brought up and educated initially in Varanasi, where her parents had a publishing business. She settled down in Nepal after her marriage to Poudel in the early 90s. According to those who knew her, she was fond of reading Sanskrit books every chance she got. Of late, she had been shuttling between Delhi and Nepal as she was teaching law, part-time, at a college in Delhi. As an Election Commissioner of Nepal, Sharma handled the portfolios of electoral law, directives, media, gender and inclusion, and the 2nd five-year strategic plan, according to her profile on the World Economic Forum website. With over 25 years of experience in media, public relations, law and development, her interests included 'trade and development, economic justice, electoral justice and peace building'. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu held a condolence meeting in her memory on July 14. On July 13, the UK Embassy in Nepal also condoled her death, noting she shared a special bond with the UK, 'having pursued an LLM in International Business Law at the University of Hull in 2001 as a Chevening Scholar'. In a post on X, Quraishi noted the outpouring of condolences, saying she was 'former Election Commissioner, lawyer, journalist and kind soul, she touched many lives with grace and compassion.' —With inputs from Damini Nath in New Delhi
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
BJP government in Uttarakhand promoting VIP culture: Congress
The Congress on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) slammed the BJP government in Uttarakhand for promoting VIP culture in the State after Chairman of Badri-Kedar temple Committee (BKTC) took a chopper to Kedarnath despite suspension of services due to bad weather. As per reports, BKTC Chairman Hemant Dwivedi, along with three other persons, took a chopper to Kedarnath on July 14. Heritage aviation had organised the chopper ride. After the matter was reported to officials, the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) ordered an investigation. Sources in the department confirmed that the aviation firm was informed about the guidelines of the Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA), which has totally shut the shuttle services in the Kedar valley due to the weather conditions, while the chopper services of Char Dham are allowed but that too with the riders of weather being suitable for the flight. UCADA CEO Ashish Chauhan told The Hindu that a notice had been issued to the aviation firm. 'After around half a dozen chopper accidents took place in the State during the ongoing char dham yatra, the DGCA had issued instructions to Uttarakhand's authorised agency, UCADA, to impose a complete ban on air services during the rainy season. But BKTC president Hemant Dwivedi has not only flouted the rules by travelling to Kedarnath by helicopter, but once again openly supported the VIP culture,' said Congress spokesperson Garima Dasauni. She said when there was a complete ban on flights for the safety of common devotees, then how and why was this special exemption given to the BKTC president. 'This directly reflects the situation of 'one country, two rules' and is an example of disrespect for government rules,' she added.
