Kharge has accused the Modi government of giving China repeated “clean chits” while India’s trade deficit with Beijing has widened to a record $112.16 billion. He also questioned the benefits of years of diplomatic engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, October 23, 2026: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explain the government’s China policy, questioning its handling of persistent border tensions even as India’s economic dependence on Beijing continues to grow.
In a statement on Thursday, Kharge raised questions about national security, trade and diplomatic engagement with China, accusing the Modi government of repeatedly giving Beijing what he described as “clean chits” while keeping the country in the dark about developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
He called on the Prime Minister to brief Parliament and the public on the situation, particularly following the reported continuation of face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops at multiple locations along the Arunachal Pradesh border.
Arunachal Face-Offs Raise Security Questions
Kharge described as “deeply alarming” the confirmation by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapur on October 22 that face-offs with Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops were continuing at several locations along the Arunachal Pradesh border.
The remarks marked a significant public acknowledgement of the reported friction, which has been underway since around July, with areas including Taksing and Asaphila in Upper Subansiri district featuring in reports on the border situation.
READ: Arunachal Soldier Martyred Along China Border in North Sikkim
“After Doklam and Galwan, is another serious confrontation unfolding?” Kharge asked, referring to the earlier military standoffs involving China.
He pointed to reports of Chinese activity near Taksing that surfaced in August and questioned why tensions reportedly persisted weeks after Corps Commander-level talks held on September 6–7 at the Wacha–Damai border meeting point. The discussions, reportedly the first of their kind in the eastern sector in recent months, were led on the Indian side by Lieutenant General Girish Kalia of III Corps.
Kharge also questioned whether Indian troops’ access to traditional patrolling areas had been affected and demanded clarity on the situation.
“Arunachal Pradesh is an inseparable part of India,” he asserted, asking why the government was “being kept in the dark”.
Enough CLEAN CHITS to China.
PM Modi must COME CLEAN before India!Three questions demand answers:
1. NATIONAL SECURITY
The ITBP DG’s confirmation of continuing PLA face-offs in Arunachal Pradesh is deeply alarming. After Doklam and Galwan, is another serious confrontation unfolding? Reports of Chinese incursions near Taksing emerged in August. Yet, even 47 days after Corps Commander-level talks at Wacha–Damai, reportedly just 180 km away, confrontations continue. Has India’s patrolling access been compromised? Arunachal Pradesh is an inseparable part of India. Why is the nation being kept in the dark?
2. ECONOMIC SECURITY
Since Galwan sacrifice of 20 Indian Army bravehearts, (FY2020–21), Chinese imports have surged 102%, while India’s trade deficit with China has ballooned 155% to $112.16 billion. Even Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman admits China obstructs Indian exports. Yet, the Government is easing Chinese investment restrictions and considering PLI benefits for eligible China-linked ventures. Has Make in India become Import from China?
3. DIPLOMATIC ACCOUNTABILITY
At least 23 reported Modi–Xi meetings and interactions, 25 Special Representatives’ rounds involving NSA Ajit Doval, 36 WMCC meetings, and successive SCO and BRICS Summits. What tangible results have these engagements delivered? Have India’s pre-May 2020 patrolling rights been fully restored?
Our Armed Forces have our complete confidence. But National security demands accountability, not diplomatic photo opportunities & Hugplomacy!
Instead of attacking the Opposition, PM Modi must take Parliament and the Nation into confidence. https://t.co/WxHQ2ZtKV4
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) October 23, 2026
Trade Deficit With China Comes Under Scrutiny
Turning to economic ties, Kharge cited figures indicating that Chinese imports into India had risen by around 102% since the 2020 Galwan clash, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. He said India’s trade deficit with China had widened by approximately 155% to a record $112.16 billion in the 2025–26 financial year.
Official trade figures put bilateral goods trade at around $151 billion in FY 2025–26, with imports from China reaching approximately $131.6 billion. China also overtook the United States to become India’s largest trading partner during the year.
Kharge questioned the government’s approach to economic engagement with Beijing, particularly as Indian businesses continue to rely on Chinese imports for a range of goods and industrial inputs.
He also referred to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s acknowledgement of obstacles faced by Indian exporters in China, contrasting this with steps to ease restrictions on Chinese investment and discussions around Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) benefits for eligible China-linked ventures.
“Has Make in India become Import from China?” he asked.
Questions Over Diplomatic Engagement
Kharge also questioned what India had achieved through years of high-level diplomatic engagement with China. He cited at least 23 reported meetings and interactions between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, 25 rounds of Special Representatives’ talks involving National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and 36 meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs.
He asked whether these engagements had delivered tangible results, particularly on restoring India’s pre-May 2020 patrolling access along the LAC.
