Rahul questions Modi's 'silence' on China issue

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Friday questioned the government on the stand-off with China Photo: PTI

NEW DELHI: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Friday questioned the government on the stand-off with China on the border and asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was silent on the issue. "Why is our Prime Minister silent on China?" Gandhi tweeted. Following Gandhi's tweet, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also hit out at the government, saying Modi's silence was baffling even as confrontation with China was escalating. Surjewala said in tweets that the government should spell out its response as China was using provocative and aggressive language. He said it is India's solemn duty to protect its and Bhutan's borders and territory. "As confrontation escalates, PM's silence on China is baffling. How did the situation spiral? Why did the government not consult political parties? China & Chinese ambassador are using provocative and aggressive language vis-a-vis Indo-China standoff. Will PM tell what's our response?," Surjewala asked. The Congress attack came as Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Hamburg, Germany, on Friday and smiled, shook hands and held a conversation a range of issues at a BRICS leaders' informal gathering. Surjewala asked about the way the stalemate in ties could be resolved. He also took a dig at Modi's remarks in which he appreciated the momentum in BRICS under the chairmanship of President Xi. "Will PM tell the nation what's the way forward to solve the stalemate or if heaping praise is the only way forward?" "India's solemn duty is to protect its and Bhutan's borders and territory. What is the government and PM doing to address these strategic concerns?" he asked.