From Robot PLA To “Rahul Robot”: China Tech Warning Triggers Political Clash

Congress MP Manish Tewari has warned that India could face a robot-driven Chinese military presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) if the country does not accelerate the development of advanced defence technologies. Tewari raised the issue in a post on X on Tuesday, pointing to China's progress in humanoid robotics and arguing that the developments should prompt India to assess its position in the global technology race.

Tewari cautioned that China’s advances in humanoid robots could eventually have implications for military operations. He also referred to a claim that China is ahead of the United States in 67 of 75 critical technologies, using the figure to underline what he described as the technology gap between the two countries. His remarks came days after a Chinese robotics company drew attention to a humanoid robot that was reported to have completed a 100-metre run faster than the men's world record set by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.

The remarks drew a sharp political response from BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra. Patra criticised what he described as the Congress mindset and brought up the party's political positions during the 2017 Doklam standoff between India and China. He also targeted Congress Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during his response, referring to him as a “Chinese robot” while criticising remarks attributed to him about the Indian Army.

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The political exchange comes amid growing global interest in China's development of humanoid robots and their potential applications. Chinese robotics company Unitree has claimed that its humanoid robot, named “Superman”, reached a top speed of 12.66 metres per second, or about 45.6 kilometres per hour. The company has also demonstrated the robot performing a standing jump of around two metres, highlighting advances in the development of machines designed to perform human-like movements.

According to Unitree, the robot has legs measuring about 0.85 metres and can perform the jump from a standing position. The company's demonstrations have attracted international attention because of the potential applications of humanoid robotics in areas including industry and other demanding environments. However, the reported performance figures have not been independently verified, and the claims remain those made by the company.

The exchange between Tewari and Patra has brought the discussion of emerging military technology into a broader political debate over India's technological preparedness and its strategic competition with China. While Tewari focused on the need for faster advances in defence technology, the BJP response centred on political criticism of the Congress. The episode comes as humanoid robotics continues to develop rapidly, raising wider questions about how such technologies could eventually be used beyond civilian applications.

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