Delhi: Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Monday sharply criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for hosting a delegation from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at its headquarters in New Delhi. Speaking out on X (formerly Twitter), Shrinate questioned the optics of the meeting, particularly in light of ongoing border disputes between India and China.
Shrinate tweeted, “This photo is of the BJP office. A meeting is taking place between BJP leaders and leaders of China’s Communist Party. In Operation Sindoor, China supported Pakistan. Our brave soldiers were martyred in Galwan. China is sitting there after encroaching in Ladakh. It is settling villages in Arunachal Pradesh. And here, hugs are being exchanged.”
She further criticised the media for remaining silent and asked pointed questions to the ruling party. “What is this relationship called? Why did the BJP commit treason against the country? What secret agreement was made between the BJP and China?” she added.
The meeting in question involved a CCP delegation led by HE Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee. BJP leaders, including party General Secretary Arun Singh, discussed mechanisms to strengthen inter-party communication between the BJP and CCP. Chinese Ambassador to India HE Xu Feihong was also present at the discussions, according to BJP Foreign Affairs Department in-charge Vijay Chauthaiwale.
This controversy draws parallels to past disputes over India-China relations. In 2020, BJP national president JP Nadda had accused the Congress of compromising national interests through a 2008 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CCP. Nadda had posted on X, “First, Congress signs MoU with the Chinese Communist Party. Then, Congress surrenders land to China. During Doklam, Rahul Gandhi secretly visits the Chinese embassy. During crucial situations, he divides the nation and demoralises armed forces.”
