A high-level delegation from the Communist Party of China visited New Delhi this week. Their arrival immediately sparked a major political controversy. The Congress party and the Bharatiya Janata Party now trade sharp accusations about transparency and India's approach to China.
Delegation Meets Multiple Indian Parties
The delegation arrived in the Indian capital led by Sun Haiyan. She serves as vice minister of the CPC's international department. Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong also joined the group. On Monday, they visited the BJP headquarters. A BJP team headed by general secretary Arun Singh received them.
Vijay Chauthaiwale handles the BJP's foreign affairs department. He posted on social media platform X about the meeting. He stated they discussed ways to advance inter-party communications between the BJP and the Communist Party of China.
The delegation also called on RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Tuesday. Press Trust of India sources described this as a courtesy visit. The Chinese side reportedly requested this meeting.
Additionally, the CPC delegation met Congress leader Salman Khurshid. Khurshid previously served as external affairs minister. The Congress party clarified the meeting occurred at the delegation's request. They emphasized the Indian government approved the interaction.
Congress Launches Fierce Attack
The Congress party seized on the visit to criticize the ruling BJP. They accused the BJP of maintaining double standards. Congress demanded full disclosure of all engagements with the Chinese Communist Party.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera posed pointed questions. He asked whether the BJP or RSS raised critical issues during their closed-door meetings. He specifically mentioned border transgressions by China. He highlighted the significant trade imbalance between the two nations. He pointed to concerns about rare earth supplies. He also referenced China's continued support to Pakistan.
"We have no problems that you meet," Khera stated. "The issue is that do you raise critical questions when you meet behind closed doors?"
Khera employed strong language in his criticism. "The BJP has taught even a chameleon how to change its colours," he remarked. "Those who were supposed to show 'red eyes' to China have instead rolled out a 'red carpet' for it."
He reminded everyone about past BJP engagements with China. "The BJP has held meetings with China's party, the CPC. Even when they were not in power, they used to visit China and hold meetings. RSS members even went there for training," he added.
The Congress spokesperson insisted on complete transparency. "This must include public disclosure of the agenda, outcomes and minutes of all closed-door meetings held between representatives of the CPC and BJP/RSS functionaries," he demanded.
BJP Defends Meeting, Cites Improving Ties
The BJP firmly rejected the Congress allegations. Party spokespersons defended their meeting with the CPC delegation. They described it as a formal and open interaction.
BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha addressed the criticism directly. "It was a process of a formal meeting," Sinha explained. "A formal meeting takes place when a situation improves. We do it very openly."
He contrasted this with past agreements made by other parties. "We do not secretly sign any such MoU which we can not explain for years," he added pointedly.
Sinha indicated the meeting occurred because relations have shown improvement. He pointed to concrete developments like the resumption of flights between the two countries. He mentioned ongoing trade talks as another positive sign.
The BJP spokesperson also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Sinha asserted Gandhi had lost the right to question the government's foreign policy decisions.
Another BJP spokesperson, Nalin Kohli, entered the fray. He claimed the Congress party had "no locus" to raise border issues with China. Kohli argued the roots of India's China problem originated during the Nehru era.
"Nevertheless, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has been working to resolve it," Kohli stated. "And that effort is continuing unabated."
TMC Joins Criticism, Accuses Hypocrisy
The Trinamool Congress also criticized the BJP over the Chinese delegation's visit. TMC Rajya Sabha deputy leader Sagarika Ghose accused the ruling party of blatant hypocrisy.
Ghose referenced China's support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. She noted China had reiterated its claim over the Shaksgam Valley. This area remains a point of contention between India and China.
"Just imagine if an opposition leader or party had done this," Ghose remarked in a social media post. "Double standards of BJP and its slave media glaringly exposed. Again."
The political storm shows no signs of abating. All major parties now engage in heated debate over India's engagement with China. The controversy highlights deep divisions in how different political groups view relations with the northern neighbor. Transparency in diplomatic and party-to-party engagements remains the central demand from opposition parties.
