Jaishankar Hits Out at Rahul Gandhi, Brands Him ‘China Guru’ in Heated Operation Sindoor Debate
- MGMMTeam
- Jul 30
- 4 min read
A dramatic session unfolded in the Rajya Sabha as External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar unleashed a sharp, veiled attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, calling him the "China Guru" during a passionate debate on Operation Sindoor. The session reflected the widening rift between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress over national security, foreign policy, and the legacy of India’s dealings with China and Pakistan.
Operation Sindoor: The Spark Behind the Political Clash
The Monsoon Session of Parliament was already intense, but the debate over Operation Sindoor — India’s decisive military response to the May 2025 Pahalgam terror attack — became the flashpoint for a deeper ideological war. Rahul Gandhi, speaking on behalf of the opposition, questioned the political will behind the operation, insinuated that the armed forces were restrained from taking a more aggressive stance, and claimed that India might have lost aircraft during the counterattack. Most strikingly, he warned of an emerging China-Pakistan axis, blaming it on what he described as diplomatic failure under the Modi government.
Jaishankar Responds: “I’ve Only Been a Diplomat for 41 Years”
In a blistering rebuttal, Jaishankar responded with sarcasm, claiming that some individuals seemed to have acquired more knowledge of China through brief Olympic visits or private meetings with Chinese diplomats than he did through four decades of service in the Indian Foreign Service. Without naming names, he said, “Some people gained their understanding of China by attending the Olympics or taking private tuition from the Chinese Ambassador at their home.”
Although the minister avoided direct mention of Rahul Gandhi or Jairam Ramesh, the reference was unmistakable. Rahul’s past interactions with Chinese officials, including his 2017 meeting with the Chinese envoy during the Doklam standoff, had previously sparked controversy. Jaishankar’s remarks were not just about a political adversary — they were aimed at challenging Congress’ entire narrative on foreign affairs.
A Strategic History Lesson from Jaishankar
Jaishankar further used the floor to dissect the historical origins of the China-Pakistan nexus, asserting that it was not born out of recent events but was cultivated during Congress rule. He cited the 1963 boundary agreement between Pakistan and China and pointed out that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) today runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — a situation enabled, he claimed, by Congress’ failure to protect India’s territorial claims.
He criticized Congress for raising China’s global status by supporting its entry into international organizations and for promoting trade and diplomatic engagement without adequately securing India's strategic interests. “Those who complain about China-Pakistan friendship today must remember who gave them the foundation to build that alliance,” he remarked.
Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty
In one of the most decisive moments of his address, Jaishankar declared that India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in response to Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism. Quoting the sentiment, “blood and water cannot flow together,” he stated that India would no longer abide by water-sharing arrangements while Pakistan harbored terror outfits responsible for attacks on Indian civilians.
This announcement was seen as a bold move, ending a decades-old agreement signed in 1960 under Jawaharlal Nehru’s government. Jaishankar framed it as a symbolic end to years of one-sided restraint and a signal that India would now deal with adversaries on its own terms.
Rahul Gandhi’s Critique and the Congress Narrative
Rahul Gandhi, in his earlier speech, painted a grim picture of the government's handling of Operation Sindoor. He suggested that while India retaliated, it did so with caution, possibly under international pressure. His concerns revolved around the loss of Indian jets, limitations on military response, and the deepening ties between Beijing and Islamabad.
He claimed that the government was “managing perception rather than protecting sovereignty” and accused it of withholding key facts from the public. Gandhi also insisted that the threat from China was not being taken seriously and that the BJP’s nationalism lacked real geopolitical substance.
Modi Government Defends the Operation
The BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, strongly defended Operation Sindoor as a strategically bold and autonomous action. Modiji revealed that India had shot down over 1,000 Pakistani missiles and drones on May 9, stating that the strikes were executed without foreign involvement or delay.
Home Minister Shah accused the Congress of consistently undermining India’s intelligence agencies and armed forces, preferring instead to believe foreign media and adversarial voices. He said, “Congress doesn’t trust our Army, our satellites, or our External Affairs Minister — but they believe Chinese whispers.”
The government framed the Congress stance as one rooted in historical appeasement, in contrast to BJP’s approach of decisive strength and clarity.
Conclusion: The Real Battle Over India's Foreign Policy Identity
The clash between Jaishankar and Rahul Gandhi over Operation Sindoor was more than a political skirmish; it was a clash of philosophies on how India should engage with its most hostile neighbors. The BJP portrayed itself as shedding the constraints of the past and embracing muscular diplomacy and military assertiveness. Congress, meanwhile, tried to position itself as a voice of accountability, warning against overconfidence and strategic missteps.
Jaishankar’s “China Guru” remark may have stung politically, but it also underscored a deeper challenge — how India remembers its past, how it defines its present, and what course it charts for its future. As tensions continue with both China and Pakistan, the question of who truly understands these adversaries — the diplomat with decades of experience or the politician with controversial encounters — will remain central to India’s evolving foreign policy discourse.
(Sources: IndiaTV News, Moneycontrol, Business Today)
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