Congress Says Govt Gave Conflicting Accounts of China’s Role in Sindoor

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Thursday that the Modi government has allowed “conflicting” accounts of China’s role in Operation Sindoor and in border incursions to reach the public, and that Parliament is not allowed to debate it. Ramesh, a Rajya Sabha MP, was speaking after Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma (retd), the former commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, called for a clear government policy on how border incidents are communicated, The Tribune reported.

Three Officials, Three Versions

Ramesh listed the statements he considers inconsistent. On 4 July 2025, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul Singh spoke publicly about the nature and extent of China’s support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. On 25 August 2026, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan offered a different view, suggesting China’s involvement was not as deeply embedded as Singh had indicated.

The third instance concerns Arunachal Pradesh. On 22 October, ITBP Director General Shatrujeet Singh made remarks about Chinese incursions there. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Arunachal chief minister contradicted him the next day, according to the report. IPB News explained that exchange earlier.

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No Single Line on the Border

Ramesh said the government has failed to frame a consistent China policy and pointed to a record trade deficit of $112 billion with China in 2025-26. He said Sharma was “absolutely right” to ask for a clear communication policy. The Tribune’s report carries no government response to the Congress criticism.

Back to Galwan in June 2020

Ramesh dated what he called the government’s “calibrated capitulation mode” to 19 June 2020, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi said no one had intruded into Indian territory. That was days after the Galwan Valley clash, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. Congress has repeated the charge since, including after Modi’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in August 2025.

Demand for a Parliament Debate

“Parliament is not even allowed to have an informed debate on China,” Ramesh said. The government has reportedly been considering a special session for the women’s reservation Bill, but no date has been announced, and nothing in the report says a discussion on China is planned.

Source: Based on reporting by The Tribune. No official Congress release was found; searched inc.in and news reports.

Image: PTI (file photo).