Rahul asks Modi to raise Doklam, CPEC with China
New Delhi, April 27: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the issues of Doklam and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying people of the country want to hear him talk on them.
Gandhi referred to Modi's televised speech during talks with Xi Jinping and tweeted that the Prime Minister looked tense.
He termed Modi's two-day visit for the informal summit meeting as 'No Agenda' China visit.
"Saw live TV feed of your 'No Agenda' China visit. You look tense! A quick reminder: 1. DOKLAM 2. China Pakistan Eco Corridor passes through POK. That's Indian territory. India wants to hear you talk about these crucial issues. You have our support," Gandhi said.
India has been opposed to CPEC, which will pass through Pakistan-administered Kashmir which is claimed by New Delhi.
Earlier, Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala attacked the Modi government and said it was incapable of sending a strong message to China.
In a series of tweets, Surjewala asked if Modi was going to confront China over the Doklam issue during his visit.
"As Modiji 'hugs' his friend Xi Jinping, will he remember his innate duty to protect India's strategic interests and question China on occupation of Doklam?
"India is facing increasingly aggressive China to intrude into the 'Chicken's Neck' - Siliguri Corridor - by building a new road through south of Doklam (Gateway to the North East), but why is Modi government clueless?" he asked.
"Does the Prime Minister accept the failure of his Cabinet Ministers to confront China on creation of 'full-fledged Chinese Military Complex' in Doklam right up to 10m from Indian Army post, during their visit on April 20-24 as an abdication of their duty to the Nation?"
Modi and Xi on Friday opened their two-day informal talks in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
