Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday strongly refuted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s claims that Chinese forces has occupied Indian territory and criticized him for making “false allegations” regarding the Army Chief’s statements in Parliament. Singh underscored the need for accuracy and responsible discourse, particularly on sensitive matters of national security.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Defence Minister expressed his disapproval of Gandhi’s remarks and advised him to “introspect” on historical events, including the 1962 India-China conflict and Pakistan’s cession of Indian territory to China in 1963.
“Rahul Gandhi in his speech in Parliament on 03 February 2025 made false allegations about the statement of the Army Chief on the situation on the India-China border,” Singh wrote.
He clarified that the Army Chief’s comments referred to temporary disruptions in traditional patrolling patterns along the border, which have since been resolved through recent disengagement efforts. These facts, Singh pointed out, had already been presented in Parliament.
“The words attributed to the Army Chief by Rahul Gandhi were never spoken by him at any time. It is a matter of deep regret that Rahul Gandhi should indulge in irresponsible politics on matters of national interest,” Singh said.
The Defence Minister reiterated that the territorial issues Rahul Gandhi alluded to are well-documented in India’s history and underscored the importance of accuracy and responsible discourse on matters concerning national security.
“The 38,000 sq. km of Indian territory in Aksai Chin has been under Chinese control since the 1962 conflict. Additionally, 5,180 sq. km of Indian territory was illegally ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963. These historical realities remain an integral part of our territorial discourse. Perhaps Rahul Gandhi should introspect on this phase of history,” Singh remarked.
Shri Rahul Gandhi in his speech in Parliament on 03 February 2025 made false allegations about the statement of the Army Chief on the situation on the India-China border.
The Army Chief’s remarks referred only to the disturbance of traditional patrolling by both sides. He also…
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 4, 2025
Addressing the broader context of the India-China border situation, Singh noted that Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi had recently provided an update during an annual press briefing. General Dwivedi acknowledged that India and China remain engaged in a “degree of standoff,” with efforts focused on resolving the situation through diplomatic negotiations.
“As far as the status of the standoff is concerned, we must assess what has changed since April 2020,” General Dwivedi said, adding that both sides have altered the terrain, carried out construction, and increased deployments. “This has resulted in a degree of standoff, and it is imperative for both sides to come together to reach a broader understanding,” the Army Chief emphasized.
Rajnath Singh’s rebuttal serves as a strong reminder of the need for careful and fact-based discussions on national security issues, particularly at a time when border tensions remain a key concern for India.
Ravi Shankar
