Kharge targets Centre over China, accuses PM Modi of giving Beijing a 'clean chit'
Congress targets PM Modi for giving China 'clean chit' NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday accused the BJP of increasing India's economic dependence on China
Congress targets PM Modi for giving China 'clean chit' NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday accused the BJP of increasing India's economic dependence on China despite the 2020 Galwan clash, alleging that Beijing has gained a dominant position in several strategic sectors under the current administration.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, citing a media report and official trade data, claimed that Chinese imports had expanded significantly across industries critical to India's economy, including pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles and renewable energy."Six years ago, PM Narendra Modi handed over a clean chit to China after our 20 brave soldiers made the supreme sacrifice in Galwan. Our bravehearts chose martyrdom, but the Modi government has surrendered India's interests to China," Kharge said in a post on X.Kharge alleged that India's imports from China had risen by 101.81 per cent since the Galwan clash, pushing the bilateral trade deficit to USD 112.1 billion in 2025-26.He claimed China supplied 86 per cent of India's antibiotic imports and accounted for nearly 74 per cent of imports of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), bulk drugs and drug intermediates during 2024-25.The Congress chief also alleged that 66 per cent of India's electric vehicle component imports originated from China, while nearly three-fourths of imported lithium-ion batteries used in Indian EVs were Chinese.He further claimed that China supplied around 93 per cent of India's permanent magnet imports in 2025-26.On the renewable energy sector, Kharge alleged that China supplied more than 99 per cent of India's undiffused silicon wafer imports in 2025-26, calling it a near-total dominance of a sector that the government has identified as central to its Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.The Congress leader also criticised the Centre's reported decision to allow four Chinese companies to bid for government power projects, alleging that it had "rolled out the red carpet" for what he referred to as PM Modi's "Jhoola Friend".He further alleged that China continued to encroach on Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh and claimed Beijing's role in Pakistan's actions during Operation Sindoor had been acknowledged by the Deputy Chief of Army Staff."Modi government has hurt India's national interests by letting Beijing capture India's most critical industries since Galwan. Now they are opening more opportunities for the Chinese to flourish under the lens of his tinted 'Laal Aankh'!" Kharge said.There was no immediate response from the Centre or the Bharatiya Janata Party to the Congress' allegations.
The BriefWire