If not ‘red eyes’, show courage: Congress dares Modi to raise Doklam issue with China

The Opposition Congress on Friday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to show some courage and raise the Doklam issue with China during his “informal summit” with Chinese President Xi-Jinping.

“Modiji may not be able to show ‘red eyes’ as he loftily promised, but will he show the courage of conviction to do plain-speaking on #Doklam & defend India’s interests?” Congress media In-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

On Thursday night, Modi arrived in Wuhan city of China to attend a historic two-day “informal-summit” with the Chinese President.

The two leaders were scheduled to hold a series of one-on-one meetings to bridge the trust deficit between the emerging Asian powers.

It was Modi’s first visit to China after the months long military standoff over the construction of a road in Doklam, a disputed territory in Bhutan.

“As Modiji 'hugs' his friend, President, Xi Jinping today in Wuhan, China, will he remember his innate duty to protect India’s strategic interests & question China on occupation of Doklam impacting India’s National Security?” Surjewala, in a series of tweets, asked.

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Sharing a ‘Satellite Imagery’ from Google Maps of 25th April, 2018, the Congress leader claimed that the increasingly aggressive China was building a new road through the South of Doklam but Modi government remained clueless about it.

“India is facing increasingly aggressive China to intrude into the ‘Chicken Neck’ - Siliguri Corridor by building a new road through South of Doklam (Gateway to the North East), but why is Modi Govt clueless and incapable to send a strong message to China?” Surjewala asked.

Going full throttle, the Congress leaders asked if the Modi accepted the failure of Defence and External Affairs ministries to confront China during their visit on 20th-24th April.

“Does the PM accept the failure of his Cabinet Min’s (Defense & EAM) to confront China on creation of ‘full-fledged Chinese Military Complex’ in Doklam right upto 10m from Indian Army post, during their visit on 20th-24th April, as an abdication of their duty to the Nation?” the Kaithal MLA asked.