Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has indicated that the Congress on major foreign policy issues, such as relations with the US, no dialogue with Pakistan unless the cross-border flow of terror is brought to an end, the threat of fundamentalist elements in Bangladesh, and Israel under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
However, the 54-year-old Gandhi was off key with Modi's policies on China as he claimed that Chinese troops had occupied Indian territory in Ladakh the size of Delhi.
During a news conference organized Tuesday at the prestigious National Press Club here, Gandhi also nodded in agreement with Modi's policies on Pakistan.
Gandhi was on an unofficial four-day trip to the US that ended Tuesday.
"Pakistan's instigation of terrorism in our country is holding the two countries back. We are not going to accept Pakistan carrying out terror acts in our country. We're just not going to accept it. And until they keep doing that, there's going to be problems between us," Gandhi said.
He said "No" when asked if the Kashmir issue is holding the two South Asian nations away from a dialogue.
On the India-US relationship, answering to a question, he said it enjoys bipartisan support in both countries.
"I don't see a big diversion. I don't see Modi is diverting very much from our approach with the US. I don't see ourselves changing direction very much from what he's doing. So, I see continuity there," he said.
"I think…everybody does accept the fact that the India-US relationship is key for both countries," he added.
Gandhi asserted that he did not want any role of the US in India's internal affairs. It is for the people of India to decide.
The battle to save democracy in India is an Indian battle. And if I may say so, with due respect, it is none else's business. It is our problem. And we'll take care of it. We will make sure that the democracy is safe," he said.
"Having said that, let us understand that Indian democracy is not just like any other normal democracy because of the size it has. If you are talking about a democratic vision of the world, Indian democracy has an enormous space in that vision. I believe that's what is important-that the world realizes Indian democracy is an asset not only for India, but for the rest of the world". Advising the United States on how they should deal with Modi is not my preserve; it's not my space". - said Gandhi.
"India has been standing with Israel recently in the Middle East. How would you change that?" he was asked.
Look, I think what happened on the 7th of October was absolutely wrong. But, I also think what Israel did and is doing, bombing innocent civilians, and killing women and children, is absolutely wrong and should not be allowed to continue. I'm against violence of any kind. And certainly, the scale of violence, I actually think, is harming Israel. It's harming Israel more than it's helping them," said Gandhi.
The opposition leader was even more hostile with regard to Modi's handling of China. "Do you think under Modi that India has managed the US-China competition well?" he was asked.
Well, if you call having Chinese troops in 4,000 square kilometres of our territory handling something well, then maybe. We've got Chinese troops occupying land the size of Delhi in Ladakh. I think that's a disaster. Media doesn't like to write about it," he said.
How would America react if some neighbour occupied 4,000 square kilometres of your territory? Would any president be able to get away with saying that he's handled that well? So, I don't think Modi's handled China well. I think there's no reason Chinese troops should be sitting in our territory," said Gandhi.
Answering a question on Bangladesh, Gandhi said "There are concerns in India about extremist elements in Bangladesh and we share some of those concerns." "However, I'm confident that things will stabilise in Bangladesh and that we would be able to have a relationship with the current government or any other government after that," he said.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi met with a delegation of lawmakers at the US Capitol wherein the issue of Bangladesh was discussed.
"We raised it, and they also spoke to us. Look, we are against any kind of violence. And we want it to stop. And it's the responsibility, frankly of the Bangladeshi government to stop it as soon as possible. From our side, its responsibility of our government to put pressure so that that violence stops," he said.
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