Jaishankar Criticizes 'China-Gurus' Over Diplomatic Knowledge

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday unleashed a pointed critique of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a speech to the Rajya Sabha, dismissing him as a 'China-guru' and questioning his expertise on Beijing. Jaishankar alleged that Gandhi's understanding of China stemmed more from attending the Olympics than from diplomatic experiences.

The minister emphasized that unlike the so-called 'China-gurus', he maintained transparency in his recent talks with Chinese officials, focusing on terrorism, trade, and de-escalation, while refuting claims of secretive conduct. Jaishankar also took the opportunity to criticize past Indian governments for their handling of China relations.

Referring to past and present opinions on national security, Jaishankar underscored the gravity of China-Pakistan ties, a concern he says telescoped through decades of historical policies. He pivoted the narrative towards recent accusations from the opposition, challenging allegations of his soft stance by pointing out overt discussions on matters of strategic interest.

(With inputs from agencies.)