PM Modi’s Ineffective Policies Bringing Pakistan and China Together: Rahul Gandhi
STORIES, ANALYSES, EXPERT VIEWS
Speaking in Parliament Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of “weakening” the country and bringing Pakistan and China together, noting that keeping the two countries apart has been the “single biggest strategic goal of India’s foreign policy”. The accusation was that China and Pakistan are closer due to PM Modi’s ineffective policies.
In response, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted that “some history lessons are in order” and cited instances from the Pakistan-China friendship over the decades. “So, ask yourself: were China and Pakistan distant then.” The emphasis of the Minister was to pooh pooh the comments of Rahul Gandhi.
US does not endorse Rahul Gandhi’s view
Separately, the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Thursday that his country does not endorse Rahul Gandhi’s comment that China and Pakistan are closer than ever due to Prime Minister Modi’s ineffective policies, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Thursday.
In reply to a question, Price said “I will leave it to the Pakistanis and the People’s Republic of China to speak to their relationship. I certainly would not endorse those remarks.”
Price was further asked if Pakistan and China have become closer because “they feel abandoned” by the US. “We’ve made the point all along,” he replied “that it is not a requirement for any country around the world to choose between the United States and China. It is our intention to provide choices to countries when it comes to what the relationship with the United States looks like. And we think partnership with the United States conveys a series of advantages that countries typically would not find when it comes to the sorts of partnerships that – ‘partnerships’ may be the wrong term; the sorts of relationships that the PRC has seeked to – has sought to have around the world.”
“Pakistan is a strategic partner of the United States. We have an important relationship with the government in Islamabad, and it’s a relationship that we value across a number of fronts,” added the spokesperson.
It is common knowledge that Pakistan’s alliance with China has grown considerably in the past few years, with China investing billions of dollars in the strategic Gwadar Port in Balochistan province.
