I don't think Modi handled China well, 4000 sq km of Indian territory 'occupied': Rahul Gandhi in US
Washington, Sep 11: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has slammed the Narendra Modi government over its handling of the conflict with China, telling reporters here that it is a “disaster” that 4,000 square kilometres of Indian territory is “occupied” by troops from the neighbouring country.
But the Leader of the Opposition indicated that the Congress is in broad agreement with the BJP-led government on other major foreign policy issues, including relations with the US, no talks with Pakistan unless terrorism ends and concerns over extremist elements in Bangladesh.
At a press conference at the prestigious National Press Club on Tuesday, Gandhi also asserted that he did not want any US role the US in India’s internal affairs.
Answering a question about China, he said: “Well, if you call having Chinese troops in 4,000 square kilometres of our territory handling something well, then maybe. We've got Chinese troops occupying land the size of Delhi in Ladakh. I think that's a disaster. Media doesn't like to write about it."
“How would America react if a neighbour occupied 4,000 square kilometres of your territory? Would any president be able to get away with saying that he's handled that well? So, I don't think Modi has handled China well. I think there's no reason Chinese troops should be sitting in our territory,” Gandhi said.
At the press conference, he supported Modi's policies on Pakistan.
“Pakistan's instigation of terrorism in our country is holding the two countries back. We are not going to accept Pakistan carrying out terror acts in our country. We're just not going to accept it. And until they keep doing that, there's going to be problems between us,” Gandhi, who was on an unofficial four-day trip to the US, said.
He said “No” when asked if the Kashmir issue is holding the two South Asian nations away from a dialogue.
Responding to a question on the India-US relationship, Gandhi noted that it has bipartisan support in both countries.
“I don't see a big diversion. I don't see Modi diverting very much from our approach with the US. I don't see ourselves changing direction very much from what he's doing. So, I see continuity there,” he said.
He said everyone accepts the fact that the India-US relationship is key for both countries.
Gandhi asserted that he did not want any role of the US in India’s internal affairs. It is for the people of India to decide.
“The fight for democracy in India is an Indian fight. With all due respect, it has nothing to do with anybody else. It's our problem. And we'll take care of it. We will make sure that democracy is secure,” he said.
“However, it's important to understand that Indian democracy is more than just any normal democracy because of its size. If you're talking about a democratic vision of the world, then Indian democracy has a large space in that vision. I think it's important that the world sees Indian democracy as an asset, not just for India, but for the rest of the world. Advising the United States on how they should deal with Modi is not my preserve, it's not my space,” Gandhi said.
Gandhi criticised the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year but said the scale of violence that ensued must stop.
“Look, I think what happened on the 7th of October was absolutely wrong. But, I also think what Israel did and is doing, bombing innocent civilians, and killing women and children, is absolutely wrong and should not be allowed to continue. I'm against violence of any kind. And certainly, the scale of violence, I actually think, is harming Israel. It's harming Israel more than it's helping them,” Gandhi said.
Responding to a question on Bangladesh, Gandhi said: “There are concerns in India about extremist elements in Bangladesh and we share some of those concerns.”
“However, I'm confident that things will stabilise in Bangladesh and that we would be able to have a relationship with the current government or any other government after that,” he said.
Gandhi had a meeting with a group of lawmakers at the US Capitol where the issue was discussed.
“We raised it (Bangladesh), and they also spoke to us. Look, we are against any type of violence. And we want it to stop. And it's the responsibility, frankly, of the Bangladeshi government to stop it as soon as possible. From our side, it's the responsibility of our government to put pressure so that that violence stops,” Gandhi said.
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SC stays Telangana HC order granting one-week transit anticipatory bail to Pawan Khera
New Delhi (PTI): In a setback to Congress leader Pawan Khera, the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the Telangana High Court order granting him one-week transit anticipatory bail in a case registered for levelling allegations against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife.
A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and A S Chandurkar issued notice to Khera and others seeking their responses on the plea filed by the Assam government challenging the Telangana High Court order.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Assam government, told the bench that Khera moving Telangana High Court for bail in a case registered in Assam was a "complete abuse of process" and this would be a case of "forum choosing".
The bench, while issuing notice on the plea, said that operation of the high court order would remain stayed.
It posted the matter for hearing after three weeks.
On April 10, the high court granted one-week transit anticipatory bail to Khera with certain conditions and gave him a week to file an application before the court concerned.
The Congress leader had, on April 5, in a press conference alleged that Assam CM's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, has multiple passports and foreign property, which were not declared in the chief minister's election affidavit for the April 9 Assembly polls in that state.
The Sarmas had rejected the allegations as false and fabricated.
The case against Khera was registered at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station under several sections of the BNS sections, including 175 (false statement in connection with an election), 35 (Right of private defence of the body and of property) and 318 (cheating).
