The Congress has accused the BJP of ‘double standards’ over its involvement with the Communist Party of China

Noting that a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has called on the leaders of the BJP and the Sangh, the Congress on Tuesday (Jan 13, 2026) questioned the ruling party’s double standards towards China.

The Congress demanded disclosure of the agenda and results of what it described as closed-door meetings at the BJP headquarters.

Congress leader Pawan Khera, at a press conference, accused the BJP-led government of pursuing a “soft” policy towards China, claiming it had weakened India’s strategic position and compromised national interests.

China’s military support to Pakistan

Referring to the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020 in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed, Mr Khera said the Prime Minister’s subsequent comments had effectively given China a ‘clean chit’, reinforcing Beijing’s assertive posture along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He alleged that despite the ongoing Chinese military build-up in eastern Ladakh, the government had failed to restore the pre-May 2020 status quo.

Mr. Khera also quoted comments by Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Rahul R. Singh, who had acknowledged Chinese military support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, and asked whether the issue was discussed during the BJP-CPC interactions.

“China tried to change our map and you responded by banning an app,” he said.

Mr. Khera also pointed to Chinese deployment of HQ-9 air defense systems and supply of PL-15 missiles to Pakistan, and asserted that India had agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra on Chinese terms. He questioned the Prime Minister’s silence on the Chinese Foreign Minister’s claims that Beijing had intervened to stop “the war” between India and Pakistan.

Public disclosure required

The Congress leader accused the government of not taking Parliament into confidence on China-related issues despite what he termed repeated territorial encroachments, citing China’s claims over the Shaksgam Valley, representation of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as Chinese territory on official maps, renaming of Indian locations and infrastructure construction near the LAC.

While the BJP had targeted the Congress in the past for its involvement with the CPC, there had been at least 12 documented interactions between BJP leaders and CPC officials since 2008, Mr Khera said. He demanded full transparency from the government on its China policy, including disclosure of the agenda, minutes and results of all meetings between representatives of the CPC and BJP or RSS officials.

Economic concerns

Mr Khera also criticized the government for considering easing restrictions on Chinese companies despite hostile moves from Beijing. Worried about the economic situation, he said China’s restrictions on exports of specialized fertilizers and rare earth minerals were negatively impacting Indian farmers and industry even as India continued to issue tourist visas to Chinese nationals.

He also flagged China’s proposed mega dam on the Brahmaputra and described it as a threat to India’s water security and the ecology of the northeastern region.

Alleging policy inconsistencies, he said that while the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh have publicly advocated a boycott of Chinese goods, the government had procured smart meters in Jammu and Kashmir from blacklisted Chinese companies, relaxed app bans and awarded land to Chinese companies. He further alleged that funds linked to Chinese companies had been accepted through the PM CARES Fund.