The Congress party has launched a sharp critique against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing a news report that the Adani Group has selected eight Chinese companies to assist in its solar manufacturing project. This development has sparked questions about whether taxpayer money should benefit Chinese firms.
In a scathing post on social media platform X, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh emphasized the need for a strategy to reduce India’s dependence on China. He recalled PM Modi’s statement following the Galwan clashes, where Modi asserted that no one had intruded into Indian borders. Ramesh accused Modi of showing leniency towards Chinese workers, allegedly to aid his associates.
Key Points:
- Criticism of Modi: Congress questioned Modi’s approach, highlighting a potential conflict of interest with Adani Group’s collaboration with Chinese firms.
- Taxpayer Concerns: The party argued that taxpayer funds should not benefit Chinese companies, especially given the geopolitical tensions.
- Economic Data: India’s imports from China have surged from USD 70 billion in 2018-19 to USD 101 billion in 2023-24, raising concerns about economic dependency.
- National Security: The Congress underscored the need to prioritize national interest over personal alliances, hinting at potential security risks.
The Adani Group, a significant beneficiary of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, reportedly seeks the Centre’s approval to bring in Chinese engineers for its solar project. This request has amplified concerns, especially with the ongoing occupation of Indian territory by Chinese forces in eastern Ladakh.
Ramesh pointed out that even the PLI scheme, intended to boost domestic manufacturing, is inadvertently benefiting Chinese vendors. He called for a coherent strategy to achieve true Atmanirbharata (self-reliance) and ensure taxpayer money does not indirectly support Chinese enterprises.
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