Table of Contents
What has happened?
- A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the Narendra Modi government for “creating two Indias” and “bringing Pakistan and China together”,
- US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said America does not endorse the remarks.
What Rahul Gandhi said in Parliament?
- In Parliament on Wednesday, Gandhi blamed the Centre for widening the gap between the rich and the poor and said,
- The President’s address to a joint sitting of Parliament didn’t touch the central challenges facing the country and was a “list of bureaucratic ideas” instead of a strategic vision.
India is isolated
- “Ask yourself why you are not able to get a guest on Republic Day. We are completely isolated and surrounded…
- You have brought Pakistan and China together and this is the single biggest crime you could have committed against the people of India,” Gandhi said.
- “The Chinese have a very clear vision of what they want to do. The single biggest strategic goal of India’s foreign policy has been to keep Pakistan and China separate.
- What you have done is, you have brought them together,” he said.
- “Do not underestimate the force that is standing in front of you. Do not underestimate the power that stands in front of us, do not underestimate it.
- He also accused the government of using the judiciary, the Election Commission, and Pegasus spyware as “instruments of destroying the voice of the union of states”.
What USA said?
- Asked about ties between Pakistan and China in the context of Gandhi’s comment, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said he “would not endorse those remarks”.
- “I will leave it to the Pakistanis and the PRC to speak to their relationship. I certainly would not – would not endorse those remarks,” Price said,
- Adding countries are not needed to choose between the US and China.
- American partnership, however, has a series of advantages, Price said, adding Pakistan is a “strategic partner of the United States“.
- “We’ve made the point all along that it is not a requirement for any country around the world to choose between the United States and China.”
- “It is our intention to provide choices to countries when it comes to what the relationship with the United States looks like.
- And we think the partnership with the United States conveys a series of advantages that countries typically would not find when
- it comes to the sorts of partnerships that – Partnerships may be the wrong term – the sorts of relationships that the PRC has sought to have around the world,” he added.
- “I demand an apology from the Home Minister. This again represents the idea of a union of states versus the idea of a king.
- A few days ago, some political leader came to me from Manipur. He was very agitated. I said why are you agitated, my brother?
- And he said Rahul Ji, I have never felt as insulted as I have a few days ago,” the Congress MP said.
Q) The Jawahar Tunnel was constructed under which of the following pass?
- Shipki La
- Banihal Pass
- Bara Lacha La
- Rohatang Pass