Congress accuses BJP of ‘double standards’ over its engagement with Communist Party of China

Noting that a delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC) has called on BJP and Sangh leaders, the Congress on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) questioned the ruling party’s double standards with regard to China.

The Congress demanded disclosure of the agenda and outcomes of what it described as closed-door meetings held at the BJP headquarters.

Addressing a press conference, Congress leader Pawan Khera accused the BJP-led government of pursuing a “soft” policy towards China, alleging that this had weakened India’s strategic position and compromised national interest.

China’s military support to Pakistan

Referring to the Galwan Valley clash of June 2020, in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed, Mr. Khera said the Prime Minister’s subsequent remarks had effectively given China a “clean chit”, emboldening Beijing’s assertive posture along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He alleged that despite continued Chinese military build-up in eastern Ladakh, the government had failed to restore the pre-May 2020 status quo.

Mr. Khera also cited remarks by Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Rahul R. Singh, who had acknowledged Chinese military support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, and asked whether the issue had been discussed during the BJP-CPC interactions.

“China has been trying to alter our map and you respond by banning an app,” he said.

Mr. Khera also pointed to China’s deployment of HQ-9 air defence systems and supply of PL-15 missiles to Pakistan, and alleged that India had agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra on Chinese terms. He questioned the Prime Minister’s silence on claims by the Chinese Foreign Minister that Beijing had intervened to “stop the war” between India and Pakistan.

Public disclosure needed

The Congress leader accused the government of failing to take Parliament into confidence on China-related issues, despite what he termed repeated territorial infringements, citing China’s claims over the Shaksgam Valley, depiction of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as Chinese territory on official maps, renaming of Indian locations, and construction of infrastructure near the LAC.

While the BJP had targeted the Congress for its engagement with the CPC in the past, there had been at least 12 documented interactions between BJP leaders and CPC officials since 2008, Mr. Khera said. He demanded full transparency from the government on its China policy, including public disclosure of the agenda, minutes and outcomes of all meetings between representatives of the CPC and BJP or RSS functionaries.

Economic concerns

Mr. Khera also criticised the government for considering the relaxation of restrictions on Chinese companies despite hostile actions by Beijing. Raising economic concerns, he said that China’s restrictions on exports of specialised fertilisers and rare earth minerals were adversely affecting Indian farmers and industry, even as India continued to issue tourist visas to Chinese nationals.

He also flagged China’s proposed mega dam on the Brahmaputra, describing it as a threat to India’s water security and the ecology of the northeastern region.

Alleging policy inconsistencies, he said that while the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh publicly advocate a boycott of Chinese goods, the government had procured smart meters in Jammu and Kashmir from blacklisted Chinese companies, diluted app bans, and granted land to Chinese firms. He further alleged that funds linked to Chinese companies had been accepted through the PM CARES Fund.