Congress criticizes Modi’s handshake with Xi amid China hostility and border tensions

The Congress party has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warm handshake with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. The party accused Modi of being weak on China and prioritizing economic ties over national security.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Congress mocked Modi for greeting Xi with a warm handshake despite repeated Chinese provocations.

The party highlighted incidents such as the Galwan Valley clash, where 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives, and China's support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, including providing live updates to Pakistan. Congress sarcastically remarked that Modi's response to these provocations was to greet Xi with a smile.

Congress has frequently accused Modi of being "scared of China" and failing to stand up to Beijing's aggression. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi has previously questioned the government's silence on China's alleged capture of 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory and its aggression against the Indian Army.

Congress has termed the Modi government's approach as a policy of "normalization" with an adversarial China, driven by "cowardice and misplaced economic priorities."

In contrast, Modi emphasized India's commitment to improving ties with Beijing, while Xi described India as a "vital friend" and advocated for a "strategic" and "long-term" perspective in their relations.

This marks Modi's first visit to China in seven years. He will be joined by Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders from Central, South, and Southeast Asia and the Middle East, a display of solidarity by the Global South in the face of US President Donald Trump's tariffs offensive.

The talks between Modi and Xi came just five days after Washington imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods over New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil.