Kharge slams Modi over China's industrial influence
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of allowing China to 'capture' India's critical industries, alleging that the government's policies have made the country economically dependent on Beijing. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Kharge claimed that six years ago, Modi handed a 'clean chit' to China after 20 Indian soldiers made the supreme sacrifice in the Galwan Valley clash.
Galwan reference and economic concerns
Kharge said that the Modi government's inaction after the 2020 Galwan Valley border clash, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed, set a precedent for China to expand its influence. 'Instead of holding China accountable, Modi ji gave them a clean chit. Now, Chinese companies control our strategic sectors like telecom, power, and infrastructure,' he alleged. The Congress chief cited data showing that Chinese imports in critical industries have risen by over 40% in the last five years.
Impact on national security and economy
Kharge warned that China's growing footprint in India's critical industries poses a direct threat to national security. 'We are allowing China to dictate terms in sectors that are vital for our defence and economic sovereignty,' he said. He demanded a parliamentary inquiry into the government's trade agreements with China and called for immediate steps to reduce dependence on Chinese goods and investments. The BJP has not yet responded to Kharge's allegations.
