Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asks why no mention of Galwan Valley in MEA statement on talks

Keeping up the heat on Modi government, Congress on Tuesday demanded why had the interlocutors not declared territorial integrity over the Galwan Valley and insisted on restoring status quo ante in Ladakh as it existed before May 5.

The sharp attack from former Congress president Rahul Gandhi came a day after India and China announced disengagement and de-escalation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

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“National interest is paramount. GOI’s (Government of India’s) duty is to protect it,” Rahul said on Twitter sharing statements of the External Affairs Ministry and the Chinese Foreign Ministry on the talks between the Special Representatives of India and China on the boundary question.

“Then, 1. Why has Status Quo Ante not been insisted on? 2. Why is China allowed to justify the murder of 20 unarmed jawans in our territory? 3. Why is there no mention of the territorial sovereignty of Galwan valley,” the Lok Sabha member asked.

India was represented by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also the Special Representative.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said disengagement would mean little if the status quo ante was not restored.

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“Disengagement is welcome but means little unless the status quo ante is restored. Otherwise, we’ll yet again see both sides declare peace, with China having changed the facts on the ground and moved the LAC closer to where it wants. The May-June status cannot become the ‘new normal’”, Tharoor said.

Congress has remained strident in its criticism of Modi government’s handling of the Chinese intrusion in Ladakh at a time when other Opposition parties have chosen to support the prime minister.

He highlighted how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in its statement mentioned the Galwan Valley, but the Indian External Affairs Ministry did not do so.

"The right and wrong of what recently happened at the Galwan Valley in the western sector of the China-India boundary is very clear. China will continue firmly safeguarding our territorial integrity as well as peace and tranquility in the border areas," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in its statement.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary, the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha said the retreat of the Chinese army in Ladakh had vindicated Congress “arguments that huge intrusions occurred in our territory”.

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“They may try to leave other occupied strategic areas as a fait accompli. But we won’t budge an inch till the status quo ante is restored,” Chowdhury said.

Chinese troops began removing tents early on Monday and started to withdraw from Galwan Valley, the site of a violent hand-to-hand clash between the two militaries on June 15 that left 20 Indian soldiers dead, government sources said.