‘Swings like a wild pendulum’: Mallikarjun Kharge targets Modi government’s foreign policy; flags China outreach, Donald Trump remarks

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Modi government’s foreign policy, accusing it of inconsistency and compromising India’s strategic interests. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s oft-repeated line, “Main desh ko jhukne nahi dunga” (I will not allow the country to bow), Kharge said current developments show “the complete opposite”.In a post on X, Kharge cited two recent issues to underline his criticism. The first relates to reports suggesting the Centre may lift restrictions imposed on Chinese companies from bidding for government contracts. The curbs were put in place five years ago following the deadly Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops in 2020.“The ban on Chinese companies, in place for five years, is being lifted,” Kharge said, adding that the sacrifice of Indian soldiers in Galwan had earlier been “insulted” when China was given a “clean chit”. He alleged that allowing Chinese firms back into government tenders amounted to rolling out a “red carpet” for them, questioning the government’s stand on national security.As per news agency Reuters, the Centre is considering rolling back rules that required companies from bordering countries, including China, to undergo special registration and security clearances before participating in public tenders. The proposed move is seen as part of efforts to ease supply bottlenecks and revive stalled infrastructure projects, especially in sectors such as power. Any such change would require approval from the Prime Minister.Kharge’s second criticism focused on US President Donald Trump’s repeated public comments on India’s purchase of Russian oil. He accused Prime Minister Modi of remaining silent despite Trump “commenting daily” on the issue.“Modi ji is averting his gaze. The ‘sir’ business looks more like surrender,” Kharge said, suggesting that India’s position on Russian oil exports was being questioned without a firm response from New Delhi. The “sir” reference was a jibe at recent remarks by Trump in which he recalled India’s long wait for US defence equipment. Trump said India had ordered 68 Apache helicopters but had to wait nearly five years for delivery, prompting PM Modi to approach him. “Prime Minister Modi came to see me, ‘Sir, may I see you please? Yes!’ I have a very good relationship with him. He’s not that happy with me, because they are paying a lot of tariffs now, but they have now reduced it substantially, because of Russia,” Trump said, referring to India’s oil purchases from Russia.Kharge further argued that foreign policy should prioritise national interest above all else.He said the Modi government’s approach has weakened India’s long-standing commitment to non-alignment and strategic autonomy. “The Modi government’s foreign policy swings like a wild pendulum — now this way, now that — and it is the people of India who are paying the price,” he added.The Congress chief’s remarks come at a time when New Delhi and Beijing have been taking cautious steps to stabilise ties after years of strain. India and China have resumed some people-to-people exchanges, including direct flights, even as restrictions on Chinese foreign direct investment remain in place.Kharge maintained that these shifts reflect a lack of coherence in foreign policy, arguing that major decisions with long-term implications should be guided by consistency and national interest rather than short-term pressures.