'Irresponsible and regrettable': Rajnath Singh slams Rahul Gandhi over 'India-China' border remark

Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday termed Rahul Gandhi's speech on India-China border issue as "irresponsible" and a matter of 'deep regret'. On Monday, replying to the Motion Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, the Congress leader linked the failure of the 'Make in India' initiative to the presence of Chinese forces inside Indian territory.

“Our Chief of Army Staff has said the Chinese are inside our territory. This is a fact. The reason China is inside our territory is important... The reason China is sitting inside this country is because 'Make in India' has failed. The reason China is sitting inside this country is because India is refusing to produce, and I am worried that India is going to give up this revolution to the Chinese once again,” Rahul Gandhi said in the Lok Sabha while participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address on January 31.

Categorically dismissing Rahul's claims, the defence minister said Rahul made false allegations about the statement of the Army Chief on the situation on the India-China border.

"The Army Chief’s remarks referred only to the disturbance of traditional patrolling by both sides. He also mentioned that these practices have been restored to their traditional pattern as part of the recent disengagement. Government has shared these details in Parliament," added Singh.

Additionally, Rajnath Singh added that he words attributed to the Army Chief by Rahul Gandhi were never spoken by him at any time. It is a matter of deep regret that Shri Rahul Gandhi should indulge in irresponsible politics on matters of national interest.

"If at all there is Indian Territory into which China has come, this is 38,000 sq. km in Aksai Chin as a result of the 1962 conflict and 5,180 sq. km. illegally ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963. Shri Rahul Gandhi may consider introspecting about this phase of our history," remarked Singh.