New Delhi, September 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress leader Udit Raj on Saturday said improving India-China relations would require substantive dialogue on unresolved border and trade issues rather than being limited to high-level meetings and statements.
Speaking to IANS, Raj welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent remarks that India and China needed to handle their differences appropriately, but said contentious issues must be openly discussed if the bilateral relationship was to make meaningful progress.
Referring to outstanding border issues involving Aksai Chin, Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, Raj said these matters should be given priority during discussions with Beijing.
“There are several serious questions related to the border that remain unresolved. The government should give these issues priority during talks with China,” he said.
Raj also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy approach, alleging that greater emphasis was being placed on personal image-building than on seeking adequate expert advice.
On economic ties, the Congress leader said India’s dependence on China had increased and the trade deficit remained substantial. He argued that New Delhi needed to demonstrate greater negotiating strength while ensuring that national interests remained central to its engagement with Beijing.
Raj also claimed that discussions on major investments and business agreements had taken place during Xi’s previous visit to India, but the expected benefits had not materialised.
“If China is gaining economic benefits from India while our dependence on China is increasing, the government needs to make its strategy clear,” he said.
On air connectivity, Raj said there should be no hesitation in fully restoring flights between India and China. He noted that air links had been disrupted in recent years, although flights to some destinations were subsequently permitted.
He also highlighted the economic interdependence between the two countries, warning that any disruption in the supply of raw materials from China could affect certain manufacturing sectors in India.
Raj pointed to India’s imports of several Chinese products, including items used during festivals, religious ceremonies and for decoration. He questioned claims about India’s growing global stature, saying there was a gap between such assertions and the ground reality.
On speculation about Congress leader Harish Rawat’s possible resignation, Raj said he did not favour such a step. He said Rawat had not been in power for a long period and that any allegations concerning his tenure or decisions should be investigated.
“If there has been any wrongdoing at an individual level, action should be taken against the person concerned. Why should the entire Congress party be held responsible for an alleged issue involving one individual?” he asked.
Raj appealed to Rawat not to take any step that could unnecessarily affect either the Congress party’s image or his own. He added that allegations or suspicion of disproportionate assets involving any individual should be investigated according to law, but the entire party should not be held responsible for the alleged actions of one person.
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