During a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in India, expressed his views on major foreign policy issues, signaling support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance on several key fronts, including relations with the US and Pakistan. However, Gandhi criticized Modi’s handling of China, alleging that Chinese forces occupied Indian territory. His comments reflected both alignment and disagreement with the government’s approach to international affairs.
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- Rahul Gandhi expressed alignment with PM Modi on foreign policy issues related to Pakistan, the US, Bangladesh, and Israel.
- He agreed with Modi’s stance of not engaging in dialogue with Pakistan unless terrorism is stopped.
- Gandhi emphasized that Pakistan’s support for terrorism is the main obstacle to peaceful relations between the two nations.
- He denied that the Kashmir issue is the reason for stalled India-Pakistan talks, focusing instead on terrorism.
- On the India-US relationship, Gandhi noted bipartisan support in both nations and minimal policy divergence from Modi’s approach.
- He highlighted that India’s internal democratic struggles should be handled solely by Indians, with no external interference.
- Gandhi criticized both Hamas’s attack on Israel and Israel’s bombing of innocent civilians, expressing opposition to all forms of violence.
- He accused PM Modi of mishandling the China situation, alleging that Chinese troops control 4,000 square kilometers of Indian territory in Ladakh.
- Gandhi expressed concerns about extremist elements in Bangladesh but remained optimistic about future relations with the country.
- He called for both the Bangladeshi and Indian governments to take responsibility for stopping violence in Bangladesh.
