PM Modi gave Indian territory to China: Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi asked the government why Indian troops, which had occupied Kailash ranges, have been told to move back

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of bowing down and acceding Indian territory to the Chinese.

His comments came during a press conference a day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement in Parliament that India and China have reached an agreement on disengagement in the North and South banks of Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh.

The BJP hit back at Rahul saying he has taken a contract to defame the country and that he should seek answers from his grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru who gave the territory.

"Indian troops are now going to be at Finger 4. Our territory was till Finger 4. Why has the Prime Minister given Indian territory to China? The Prime Minister and the Defence Minister will have to answer," Rahul said.

He asked the government why the Indian troops, which through their hard work had occupied Kailash ranges, have been told to move back.

Read | PM Modi is a coward who cannot stand up to the Chinese: Rahul Gandhi

"What have we got in return? The more important question is that there is no movement of Chinese back from Depsang Lake and Gogra-Hot Springs. It is clear that the Prime Minister has given Indian territory to China. This is the truth," he said.

He said there was no mention of Chinese coming into Depsang or Hot Spring.

"There is only give and no take...This is absolutely 100 per cent cowardice. The Prime Minister is a coward who could not stand up to China," he claimed.

Responding to Rahul's charges, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Mukthar Abbas Naqvi said there is "no cure" for him as he is engaged in a conspiracy to defame the country and break the morale of the security forces.

Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy referred to the 1961 India-China war and said, "He must ask his grandfather (Jawaharlal Nehru) about who has given India's territory to China, he will get the answer. Who is a patriot and who is not, the public knows it all."

Rahul also accused the Prime Minister of betraying the sacrifice of soldiers who fought at the borders. "The Army, the Navy and the Air Force are standing up to the Chinese but the Prime Minister is not ready to stand up to the Chinese," he alleged.

Read | Mutual and reciprocal steps: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on disengagement pact with China

Asked whether it was a partial success as negotiations are on, he said, "I come to your house. There is disengagement. You gave me the living room, you gave me the bedroom. What is success? The only success is for China and that is the Prime Minister surrendered before them."

Queries about his suggestion to solve the issue, he said it was the responsibility of the prime minister to protect the territorial integrity of the country and it is his responsibility to solve it.

In his statement, the Defence Minister said both the sides have reached an agreement on the disengagement in the North and South Bank of the Pangong Lake. It has been agreed to convene the next meeting of the Senior Commanders within 48 hours after the complete disengagement in the Pangong Lake area to address and resolve all remaining issues.

"The Chinese side will keep its troop presence in the North Bank area to east of Finger 8. Reciprocally, the Indian troops will be based at their permanent base at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3. A similar action would be taken in the South Bank area by both sides," he said.