Congress denies report of Rahul Gandhi-Chinese envoy meeting, slams ‘bhakts’

A report had suggested that Rahul Gandhi and the Chinese envoy discussed on Saturday the present bilateral relations in the context of the Sikkim stand-off.

The Congress has denied a media report suggesting that party vice-president Rahul Gandhi met Chinese ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui on Saturday.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi during the release of commemorative edition of National Herald newspaper at Dr Ambedkar Bhawan in Bengaluru on June 12. (HT File Photo)

“A wanting to be ‘Bhakt’ channel will not question 3 Union Ministers visiting China or PM’s bonhomie & praise at G20 yet run fake news!,” Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted on Monday.

“Before MEA & IB sources plant news with ‘Bhakts’, they should reverify that we still have diplomatic relations with all our neighbours,” he said in another tweet.

The report had suggested that Gandhi and the Chinese envoy discussed the present bilateral relations in the context of the Sikkim stand-off.

Indian and Chinese border troops are locked in a standoff in the Donglang region, near the Sikkim border, which is controlled by China but is also claimed by Bhutan.

Gandhi had on Friday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” on the standoff with China. “Why is our Prime Minister silent on China?” he had asked on Twitter.

The main opposition party had earlier said the Narendra Modi government’s foreign policy was defined by “the Prime Minister’s search for holiday destinations and photo opportunities” instead of serving India’s interests.

“His foreign policy is defined by hyperbole and empty rhetoric. He believes, falsely, that talking tough in election rallies is the same as being tough on China on the diplomatic front,” the party said in an article posted on its website.