Congress demands PM Modi’s statement on reported China border face-offs in Arunachal

Guwahati: The Congress has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi explain the situation along the India-China border in Parliament following reports of continuing confrontations between the two countries’ troops in Arunachal Pradesh. The party has also sought an all-party briefing and answers on India’s access to border patrol areas.

The demand came on Friday, October 23, after Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapoor reportedly confirmed that face-offs with Chinese troops had occurred at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh in recent days and were continuing.

Congress leaders accused Modi of failing to address border disputes with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meetings. They called the Prime Minister a “coward” over his handling of the issue and said India’s national interests must not be compromised.

The party also alleged that China’s position in Arunachal Pradesh had been strengthened by Modi’s remarks in 2020, after the violence in eastern Ladakh, which the Congress described as giving Beijing a “clean chit”. The BJP and the government had not immediately responded to these accusations.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called on Modi to explain his position on China in a post on X, writing, “Enough clean chits to China. PM Modi must come clean before India!”

Kharge said the public had full faith in the armed forces, but national security required accountability rather than diplomatic photo opportunities and “Hugplomacy”. He urged Modi to address Parliament and the nation instead of attacking the Opposition, and raised three questions concerning national security, economic policy and diplomatic accountability.

The ITBP chief’s account of the Arunachal Pradesh incidents prompted Kharge to question whether India was heading towards another serious confrontation comparable to those at Doklam and Galwan. He described the reported continuation of face-offs as “deeply alarming”.

Kharge also referred to reports of Chinese incursions near Taksing in August. He questioned why confrontations were still being reported 47 days after Corps Commander-level talks at Wacha Damai, which was reportedly about 180 km away.

He sought clarification on whether Indian troops’ access to patrol routes had been affected, why information about the border situation was not being shared with the public, and whether India’s patrolling rights as they stood before May 2020 had been fully restored. He also reaffirmed that Arunachal Pradesh was an inseparable part of India.

Congress general secretary for communications Jairam Ramesh accused the Prime Minister and his administration of maintaining silence on developments involving China. In a post on X, he said the government continued to make concessions to Beijing even as the ITBP chief praised the force’s performance during recent encounters with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Arunachal Pradesh.

Ramesh also cited Modi’s statement of June 19, 2020, following the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers in the Galwan clash. He said India continued to face the consequences of the Prime Minister’s remarks at the time, quoting him as saying, “Na koi wahan humari seema mein ghus aaya hai aur na hi koi ghusa hua hai, na hi humari koi post kisi doosre ke kabze mein hai”.

The Congress leader said the country expected clear explanations about national security rather than what he called hollow claims about a ’56-inch chest’.

At a press conference, Congress head of media and publicity Pawan Khera accused Modi of giving China a clean chit in 2020. He said the government owed the country a full explanation of the developments on the border.

“In 2026, the country deserves a clean account of what is happening on its borders. Enough of clean chits to China, it is time for the Modi government to come clean before India,” Khera said.

Khera displayed a cup carrying the slogan “Naam Narendra, kaam Surrender”. A banner at the venue carried the words “Yuvaon ko peetne mein dhurandar, China ke aage dandwat surrender”.

Citing China’s alleged assistance to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Khera accused the government of repeatedly giving ground to China. He also criticised Modi for attacking the Congress instead of responding to its questions, saying, “Modi ji has become ‘kkk Congress’ as he continues to attack the Congress but does not answer the questions posed”.

Khera further likened the Prime Minister to a “toxic lover” or a “sanki aashiq”, accusing him of repeatedly targeting the Congress while avoiding questions about China. He said Modi should focus on his responsibilities as head of government.

The Congress called for Modi, the Defence Minister and the Home Minister to make a comprehensive statement in Parliament.

It also sought a confidential briefing for all parties, an account of whether border patrol access and the rights of frontier communities had been restored, and a time-bound programme to upgrade ITBP capabilities, improve forward infrastructure and reduce India’s strategic dependence on China.

Khera said the armed forces had the courage to defend the country but needed political clarity, proper equipment and sustained support from the government.

He also sought answers on the current situation in Arunachal Pradesh, whether Indian forces could patrol Shera-5, whether the pre-May 2020 position in eastern Ladakh had been fully restored, and what had resulted from repeated Modi-Xi meetings and military negotiations.

Responding to a question about the Congress’s next steps in the absence of government replies on China over the years, Khera said growing demands for answers from the public and younger generations signalled that the Modi government was approaching its end.