‘Complete failure’ of India’s foreign policy under Modi govt: Congress

Senior Congress leader and former Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju on Friday claimed that the Prime Minister's foreign policy has completely failed as the neighbouring countries are evading New Delhi while taking decisions on various issues. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera mentioned about Bhutan which has stopped releasing water for an irrigation channel along its border with India near Assam, affecting thousands of farmers in 25 villages.

New Delhi: Amid the India-China border tussle, Congress party alleged the Central Government for their 'diplomatic failure' in maintaining cordial relationships with the neighbouring countries, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy has completely failed in tackling the issues of neighbouring countries.

"There has been an all-round diplomatic failure in ensuring cordial relationships with our neighbouring countries. The first trip made by PM Modi was to Nepal and today, the neighbouring country has unilaterally passed a resolution in its Parliament, adding the Indian territory in their map. If you look at other nations also, the picture isn't being very very rosy," said Pallam Raju, former Minister of State of Defense and Congress leader, while replying to ETV Bharat.

Jitender Singh, who was also the MoS Defense during UPA II, said, "We don't share a cordial relationship with our neighbours now. Modi Government's foreign policy has completely failed. Those countries who always stand by us are today either speaking in another temper or not speaking at all. What gains did India get from PM's foreign visits?"

He further alleged, "Today, China saw that there is Covid-19 pandemic in the country, the economy is in shambles, neighbouring countries are not supporting us, hence they chose this time for such activities at the border. It is a long-run strategy of China. While on the other hand, the Indian Government is in complete denial of the crisis."

While on the other hand, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera mentioned about Bhutan which has stopped releasing water for an irrigation channel along its border with India near Assam, affecting thousands of farmers in 25 villages. The channel has been used by farmers since 1953.

"This is astonishing as we have historic relations with Bhutan. Nepal included our territory to its own map and also passed a resolution yesterday to prohibit Hindi. Why is this happening?" he said.

Khera slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for neglecting India's relationships with the neighbouring countries. He stated, "Whenever PM Modi visits other countries, he always does a diaspora event. These visits should be of a country's representative, not of a party's representative. We want to urge him that he can curse the opposition during elections but right now he should focus on the real issues of the country to save our borders and our relations with other countries"

While on the other hand, Pallam Raju cautioned the Government about China's taking advantage of the matter and suggested to have cordial relationships with the other countries to tackle the border crisis. He asserted, "We are aware of China's positioning and the way they are encircling India, we have to be much more alert. China's intentions are obvious, so in order to safeguard our own strategic interests, I think cordial relationships with our immediate neighbours is of paramount importance. We must take a much longer view of Chinese intent and prepare a strategy to counter diplomatically, economically and militarily."