External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has criticized the Congress party, particularly Rahul Gandhi, for attributing blame to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for historical mistakes made during the tenure of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister. Jaishankar highlighted that Chinese encroachments on Indian territory have roots dating back to as early as 1958, with further annexations occurring between 1958 and 1962.
During a press conference in Mumbai, Jaishankar denounced Congress's attempts to misrepresent historical facts regarding China's occupation of Indian land. He cited a recent statement by a Congress spokesperson regarding Chinese activities in the Shaksgam Valley, falsely attributing the situation to concerns for Siachen. Jaishankar clarified that the Shaksgam Valley was allowed by Nehru to be part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), subsequently ceded to China by Pakistan in 1963.
Addressing Rahul Gandhi's claim about a bridge being built by China in Pangong Tso, Ladakh, Jaishankar emphasized the historical context of the region, noting that the area where the bridge is being constructed was previously occupied by China in 1958 and then recaptured in 1962. He criticized Gandhi and the Congress for overlooking these historical facts and for "gunning down" their own forces with baseless accusations.
Jaishankar further refuted claims about Chinese construction of villages along the border, highlighting the case of Longju in Arunachal Pradesh, which the Chinese attacked and occupied in 1959. He urged people to examine historical records, including Nehru's statements to Parliament in 1959, to understand the context of border disputes with China.
