As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives in New Delhi for a two-day visit starting Monday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has sharply criticized the Indian government, accusing it of downplaying China’s military support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Ramesh, the Congress general secretary for communications, highlighted Beijing’s supply of advanced weaponry and real-time intelligence to Islamabad just three months ago, framing the visit as a diplomatic misstep by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, was India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The operation inflicted significant damage on terror infrastructure in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and Pakistan, with hostilities ceasing on May 10 after Pakistan’s counterattacks proved ineffective. Ramesh cited Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul R Singh, who on July 4, 2025, labeled China an “adversary” for providing Pakistan with J-10C fighters, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and various drones, along with live intelligence updates during the conflict. “China’s actions directly undermined India’s security,” Ramesh posted on X, referencing Singh’s statement.
Ramesh also criticized Modi’s 2020 statement on the Galwan Valley clash, where 20 Indian soldiers died, claiming Modi’s assertion—“Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai” (No one has intruded into our territory, nor is anyone present)—weakened India’s stance. “This clean chit to China insulted our martyrs and emboldened Beijing,” Ramesh argued, pointing to the October 2024 disengagement agreement that requires Chinese approval for Indian patrols in Depsang, Demchok, and Chumar, and establishes buffer zones in Galwan, Hot Spring, and Pangong Tso within India’s claim line.
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The Congress leader further raised alarms over China’s construction of the 60 GW Medog Dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, warning of its “serious implications” for India’s water security and downstream communities in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The dam, part of China’s hydropower ambitions, could disrupt the Brahmaputra’s flow, a concern echoed by experts cited in The Hindu.
Wang Yi’s visit, the first high-level Chinese engagement since Operation Sindoor, includes meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Modi on Tuesday. The talks, part of the 24th round of Special Representatives’ discussions on the India-China border, aim to address the Line of Actual Control (LAC) tensions post-Galwan and explore trade and flight resumption. The visit precedes Modi’s trip to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China from August 31 to September 1, where he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Public sentiment on X reflects skepticism, with users like @SpiritOfCongres and @Chaotic_mind99 accusing Modi of overlooking China’s role in supporting Pakistan. @PravinSawhney warned that China aims to bolster Pakistan’s military dominance, particularly its air force, post-Sindoor. The visit comes amid strained India-U.S. ties due to Trump’s tariff hikes, pushing India closer to China diplomatically, as noted by Financial Express.
As India and China seek confidence-building measures, Ramesh’s critique underscores the delicate balance New Delhi must strike in engaging Beijing while addressing its strategic alignment with Pakistan and regional security concerns.
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