Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments in which he said his BJP policy of the government has created “China and Pakistan together,” saying”that “some history lessons are in order” and that Pakistan illegally transferred Shaksgam Valley to China during the year 1963 during the time that the Congress government was in power.
He claimed that China developed the Karakoram highway through PoK during the 70s.
CPEC was inaugurated in 2013 when the then Congress-led UPA had taken over the Centre.
Mr. Jaishankar was also critical of Rahul Gandhi over remarks he made during the Lok Sabha during debate on the motion of thanks for President’s address that the government could not invite a foreign visitor to attend Republic Day.
Affirming his disdain for Mr. Gandhi for his frequent visits to foreign countries and visits to India, Mr. Jaishankar declared that “those who live in India know we were in the midst of a corona wave” and said India hosted an online summit with the presidents from five Central Asian countries.
“Rahul Gandhi alleged in Lok Sabha that this Government brought Pakistan and China together. Perhaps, some history lessons are in order: -In 1963, Pakistan illegally handed over the Shaksgam valley to China. -China built the Karakoram highway through PoK in the 1970s,” Mr. Jaishankar tweeted.
When the China and Pakistan Economic Corridor was first announced in 2013, the former president asked Mr. Gandhi to consider whether China or Pakistan was at a distance back then.
“From the 1970s, the two countries also had close nuclear collaboration. -In 2013, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor started.
So, ask yourself: were China and Pakistan distant then?” the journalist asked.
Mr. Jaishankar asked Mr. Jaishankar if Rahul Gandhi had also missed the India-Central Asia Summit held on the 27th of January.
“In Lok Sabha, @RahulGandhi said we could not get a foreign guest for Republic Day. Those who live in India know we were amidst a corona wave. The 5 Central Asian Presidents, who were to come, did hold a virtual summit on Jan 27. Did Rahul Gandhi miss that as well?” He asked.
Rahul Gandhi, in his speech, stated that it was the work of his administration to bring China and Pakistan together.
“The Chinese have an evident vision of what they want to do. India’s foreign policy’s single biggest strategic goal has been to keep Pakistan and China separate.
What you have done is, you have brought them together,” he added.
“Do not be under any illusion, do not underestimate the force that is standing in front of you. You have brought Pakistan and China together. This is the single biggest crime that you could commit against the people of India,” said the official.
