Congress flays PM's silence on China's latest build-up along Doklam plateau

New satellite images of Chinese military development shows multiple new villages spreading through an area roughly 100 square km in Bhutanese territory. The villages, constructed between May 2020 and November 2021, lie near the Doklam plateau where India and China had a faceoff in 2017

New Delhi: After a leading satellite imagery expert tweeted a series of satellite images, showing purported construction of Chinese villages in Bhutanese territory over the last year, the Congress party questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence over the matter alleging that the Central Government has committed "unpardonable compromise" with the National Security.

While addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said, "Modi Government’s unpardonable, blatant and brazen compromise of national security and India's territorial integrity stands exposed once again. Prime Minister and Defence Minister have undermined the astounding valour and insurmountable grit of our Armed Forces, who faced Chinese incursions and aggressions with indomitable courage and sacrifice."

He mentioned that the new satellite images on Chinese military development, shows multiple new villages spreading through an area roughly 100 square km (25,000 Acres). The villages were constructed between May 2020 and November 2021.

He stated that these new villages lie near the Doklam plateau where India and China had a faceoff in 2017, after which China bypassed Indian defences to resume road construction activity in the region.

"The new construction on Bhutanese soil is particularly worrying for India since India has historically advised Bhutan on its External Relations policy and continues to train its armed forces," the Congress leader asserted.

He also quoted the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Army Command where he had said that China is getting active and building infrastructure, and roads, and highways in the Chumbi valley. The Chumbi valley directly affects and threatens the strategically important Siliguri corridor, the chicken’s neck, which connects seven northeastern states with the rest of India.

Calling it a blow to India's National Security, Gourav Vallabh asked, "Why is PM Mum? Why Modi Government compromises on our Territorial Integrity? When will Modi Government respond to this verbal, geographic, military and strategic aggression of China? Why are we tolerating all-round aggression from China and doing absolutely nothing about it?"

"We urge the Prime Minister to not hide behind smokescreens and answer to the people," Vallabh added.