New Delhi: The Indian National Congress on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led government, accusing it of what it termed a "calibrated capitulation" before China, even as trade between the two rival nations hits record highs despite ongoing border tensions.
The party's critique comes against the backdrop of an ever-widening trade deficit for India with its northern neighbour. New Delhi imports significantly more from Beijing than it exports to the Asian power, creating what economists describe as a structural imbalance in bilateral commerce.
Congress spokespersons argued that the Modi government's hardline public rhetoric on border issues, particularly after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash that claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers, has not translated into meaningful economic pressure on China. They contended that trade continues to flow largely uninterrupted, undermining any claim of strategic firmness.
The term "Sindoor" referenced in the party's statement alludes to symbolic gestures of patriotism and nationalist posturing that Congress claims are performed without substantive follow-through on the economic front. Critics within the party argue the government prioritises diplomatic theatre over concrete measures to reduce India's dependency on Chinese goods, particularly in pharmaceuticals, electronics, and solar components.
Data from the Ministry of Commerce shows India's trade deficit with China has consistently remained above 30 billion dollars in recent years, with the gap widening during periods of heightened military tension along the Line of Actual Control. Despite multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks aimed at de-escalating the border standoff since Galwan, no trade restrictions have been imposed on Chinese imports.
Government sources, however, defend the current trade approach, arguing that decoupling economically from China would be both impractical and damaging to Indian industry and consumers. They point to initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive scheme and higher import duties on select Chinese products as evidence of a broader strategy to gradually reduce dependency.
The congressional accusation adds to growing political debate ahead of upcoming elections, where China policy is expected to feature prominently in campaign discourse.
Analysts note that while India has taken steps to review investments from China and restrict certain land-based imports under the Foreign Trade Policy, comprehensive decoupling remains elusive due to deeply embedded supply chain linkages.
