External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar slammed former Congress President Rahul Gandhi for his remarks following a meeting with the Chinese ambassador in 2017 during the Doklam standoff.
Dr S Jaishankar made his remarks during a discussion following the release of ‘Bharat Marg’, the Marathi translation of his book ‘The India Way’, in Pune.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s foreign affairs chief Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale.
During the conversation, Dr Jaishankar also slammed the opposition for spreading false information and a false narrative about Indo-China relations.
“If I need to know something (about China), I won’t go to the Chinese ambassador to get input. I will speak to my military leadership,” Dr. Jaishankar said, referring to Rahul Gandhi’s 2017 meeting with the Chinese Ambassador during the Doklam standoff.
Rahul Gandhi termed that it was his job to be informed on such critical issues and so he met the Chinese Ambassador, (India’s) Ex-NSA (National Security Advisor), Congress leaders from North East and the Bhutanese ambassador.
“Some leaders from political parties lack confidence in India while speaking about the military stand-off with China and try to create a perception and reaction which is anti-Indian,” Dr Jaishankar said.
“To make it clear, even I at times fail to understand the thoughts of the opposition. Now if you ask me why they lack confidence in India or they mislead people about China, what response can I give?” EAM said.
“Because I know they are also doing politics. They will sometimes deliberately spread false information. Suppose they talk about some land that was taken by China in 1962. But they will not tell you the truth. They will give you the impression that this thing happened yesterday,” Dr Jaishankar said.
Dr. Jaishankar launched an attack on the opposition camp, saying, “Sometimes people say I lack understanding. I may lack understanding, but if I lack understanding, at least I am aware of where to go in that case. I will go and approach the military leadership, either the Army or Intelligence, for my news or information. At least I will not call the Chinese ambassador and ask him about my news.”
“You say that this is a lack of confidence and trust. I believe there is something else missing and lacking in him,” Dr Jaishankar added.