On Thursday, June 19, 2025, the Indian National Congress called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow a long-overdue debate on China during the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament, asserting that the ruling BJP has sidestepped the issue for the past five years despite serious border setbacks and growing economic dependence on Beijing.

The Opposition’s renewed pitch comes on the fifth anniversary of what Congress calls the “clean chit” remark by the Prime Minister, following the Galwan Valley clash that claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers on June 15, 2020.

Galwan anniversary and PM’s 2020 statement

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh reminded the public of Prime Minister Modi’s infamous words days after the Galwan incident, where he stated, “Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai” — meaning “No one has entered our territory, nor is anyone inside”.

“Today is the fifth anniversary of that sorry statement,” Ramesh posted on X (formerly Twitter). “It ignored the sacrifice of our jawans and set the stage for a withdrawal agreement in 2024 that is deeply unfavourable to India.”

The 2024 withdrawal agreement and patrolling limits

Mr. Ramesh claimed that the October 2024 withdrawal agreement resulted in Indian patrols requiring Chinese concurrence to access patrolling points in Depsang, Demchok, and Chumar, essentially ceding strategic freedom to China.

He further alleged that buffer zones created in Galwan, Hot Spring, and Pangong Tso now lie within India’s claim lines, limiting access for Indian troops and permanently altering status quo ante, which the Indian Armed Forces had sought to restore.

“This is not restoration of status quo. It’s a major territorial setback,” Ramesh asserted.

Economic imbalance with China

The Congress also highlighted the massive trade imbalance with China, with imports surging in key sectors including electronics, telecom equipment, solar cells, and pharmaceutical raw materials.

India’s trade deficit with China hit a record $99.2 billion in FY 2024–25, Mr. Ramesh pointed out, while exports to China were lower than in FY 2013–14, even with a weaker rupee, which should have made Indian goods more competitive.

“This surrender to China’s economic dominance is the outcome of weak political will and flawed policy,” Ramesh said.
He recalled External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s remark: “They are the bigger economy. What am I going to do?” — calling it “deeply defeatist.”

China’s role in Operation Sindoor

In a sharper security warning, Congress accused China of playing a direct role in Pakistan’s military strategy during Operation Sindoor, which India launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Ramesh said Chinese support to Pakistan goes beyond supplying fighter jets and missiles, such as the J-10C and PL-15E, and now extends to AI-powered systems, stealth platforms, and multi-domain operational capabilities.

He claimed that up to 40 Chinese-made J-35 stealth fighters may soon be supplied to Pakistan, presenting a new challenge for India’s northern and western borders.

The need for national consensus

Given the strategic complexity, Congress said it is vital for India to build a national consensus on how to respond to China’s economic rise and its expansionist behaviour, which is not only affecting India’s borders but also undermining economic sovereignty.

“China is now the world’s second-largest economy and may overtake the US within a decade,” Ramesh said.
“India cannot afford to deal with this challenge through denial or silence. Parliament must debate this openly.”

Congress’s parliamentary demand

The party said it had been consistently calling for a China debate in Parliament for five years, but no such discussion had taken place.

“We hope that the Prime Minister will finally agree to a serious discussion on China in the Monsoon session,” Ramesh stated.

He noted that without a clear and unified strategy, India risked being caught in a strategic pincer movement by an emboldened China and its close ally Pakistan.

Context: India-China relations in 2025

Despite a few diplomatic overtures — including recent reports that India and China have agreed to resume direct flights and expand trade talks — strategic mistrust remains high. The five-year standoff along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) has reshaped defence deployments and consumed diplomatic attention.

India continues to build infrastructure along the border, while China is reportedly developing advanced surveillance systems, roads, and airbases on its side.

Yet, the government has not publicly outlined a comprehensive China strategy, and critics argue that economic dependence is increasing faster than defensive posturing.

What the Congress wants

Congress is demanding:

• A full debate on China’s border aggression and economic encroachment

• Transparency about bilateral agreements and border disengagement terms

• A clear roadmap to reduce trade dependence on China

• National security review mechanisms that include Opposition input

• Serious discussions on India’s role in the Indo-Pacific and military preparedness for a two-front threat

Conclusion

As the Monsoon session of Parliament approaches, the Congress party has set the tone for what may become a crucial national security debate. With tensions on both borders and China’s role in Pakistan’s operations becoming increasingly visible, calls for greater transparency, accountability, and debate are mounting.

Whether Prime Minister Modi will respond remains to be seen. But with five years of delays, diplomatic tightrope-walking, and surging imports, political pressure is building for the government to break its silence and confront the China question head-on — in Parliament and before the people.

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