BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, January 13 — Congress leader Pawan Khera on Tuesday questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party’s engagement with China and took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the ruling party had softened its stance despite earlier rhetoric of taking a tough line against Beijing.
Khera’s remarks came after BJP Foreign Affairs Department in-charge Vijay Chauthaiwale shared details of a meeting with a delegation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), led by Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Khera alleged that the BJP has maintained links with the CCP even when it was not in power. “Those who once spoke of showing ‘red eyes’ to China have instead rolled out a red carpet. BJP leaders visited China even when they were not in power, and RSS members also travelled there for training,” he claimed.
⦿ जब BJP-RSS के लोग चीन के साथ बैठक करते हैं, तो क्या देश से जुड़े ये मुद्दे उठाते हैं?
अगर उठाते हैं- तो वहां से क्या जवाब आता है?
⦿ भारत को चीन की तरफ से जो नुकसान होता है, वो इन बैठकों की वजह से होता है, या इन बैठकों के बावजूद होता है?
⦿ चीन के साथ व्यापार का जो भारी… pic.twitter.com/9Z2plpZ999
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 13, 2026
‘BJP’s duplicity and hypocrisy’
Khera clarified that the Congress does not oppose dialogue between political parties across countries, but criticised what he termed the BJP’s “duplicity and hypocrisy”.
“We have no objection to any political party engaging with foreign political parties. What we object to is duplicity and deceit. For years, the BJP attacked the Congress over an MoU, and now they are holding meetings themselves. Our concern is that after such closed-door meetings, it is the country that pays the price,” he said.
‘PM Modi afraid of China’
The Congress leader also accused Prime Minister Modi of being “afraid of China”, citing what he described as contradictions in government policy. He questioned why citizens are urged to boycott Chinese products while contracts are allegedly awarded to Chinese firms.
“What kind of relationship is this where people are told not to buy Chinese goods, yet contracts are given to Chinese companies? Prime Minister Modi gives clean chits when intimidated and bows when praised. The country will not accept such leadership,” Khera said.
Khera further questioned whether sensitive issues such as the Shaksgam region and developments during “Operation Sindoor” were raised during interactions with Chinese representatives. Referring to statements by senior Army officers, he alleged that China supported Pakistan with advanced weaponry, including PL-15 missiles.
READ: Under NIA Probe for Heinous Crimes, Arambai Tenggol Chief Given NCC Reception in Imphal
READ: Rahul Accuses PM Modi of Suppressing Tamil Culture
Supriya Shrinate joins criticism
Earlier, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate also criticised the BJP over the meeting with the CCP delegation. Posting on X, she said that while China was “settling villages in Arunachal Pradesh and occupying parts of Ladakh,” BJP leaders were “exchanging hugs” in Delhi.
She questioned the nature of the BJP’s engagement with China and accused sections of the media of not scrutinising the meeting.
In 2020, BJP president JP Nadda had sharply criticised the Congress for signing an MoU with the CCP in 2008, alleging it compromised national interests. The BJP has repeatedly cited the MoU in its attacks on the Congress, particularly in the context of border tensions with China.
