Congress Accuses Modi Govt of Silence Over Reported India-China Face-Offs in Arunachal

The Congress on Friday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over reported face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh, demanding clear answers on national security and accusing the government of maintaining silence on the developments.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh cited a media report quoting Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapur as saying that face-offs had occurred at multiple locations in Arunachal Pradesh in recent days and the situation was continuing.

In a post on X, Ramesh alleged that the prime minister and his establishment had remained silent despite the reported incidents. He also referred to corps commander-level talks held at Wacha and Damai in Arunachal Pradesh last month following a face-off at Taksing.

Ramesh claimed that local residents had reported the loss of patrolling points and raised concerns over China’s renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh and the construction of a 60,000-MW dam, which he said posed risks to India’s ecological and water security.

The Congress leader also flagged the widening trade imbalance with China, stating that India’s trade deficit had reached a record USD 112 billion in 2025-26, compared with USD 99 billion in the previous financial year. He argued that the growing dependence on Chinese imports was hurting domestic industries and undermining the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Ramesh further criticised Modi’s remarks on June 19, 2020, following the Galwan Valley clash, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. He also referred to revelations attributed to former Army chief General M M Naravane regarding instructions during the Ladakh border crisis.

The Congress leader questioned what he described as the government’s approach towards China, demanding accountability over border tensions and economic dependence. There was no immediate response from the government or the BJP to the latest allegations. The government has previously rejected Opposition claims concerning Chinese incursions, while the BJP has accused the Congress of demoralising the armed forces.