Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 13: The Congress on Tuesday questioned the “closed-door” meetings held by a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with leaders of the BJP and RSS, demanding full transparency and accountability from the Union government on India’s policy towards its neighbouring country.

Addressing a press conference here, Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera raised objections to the CPC delegation’s interaction with senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale and BJP leaders, asserting that “non-state players” should not be allowed to influence state policy.

Khera demanded public disclosure of the agenda, outcomes and minutes of all meetings held between CPC representatives and BJP-RSS functionaries. “RSS works behind the shadows. It is a non-registered organisation. Why should such an organisation be allowed to control state policy and hold meetings with a foreign ruling party?” he asked.

His remarks came a day after a CPC delegation led by Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC, visited the BJP headquarters. BJP leaders later said discussions focused on strengthening inter-party communication between the BJP and the CPC.

Clarifying that there was no objection to dialogue between political parties of different countries, Khera said the Congress had an issue with what he termed the BJP’s “hypocrisy and deceit”. He recalled how the BJP had repeatedly attacked the Congress over an MoU with the CPC, while now holding similar meetings itself.

Khera questioned what issues were discussed during the interactions, including whether BJP leaders raised concerns over Chinese transgressions along the Line of Actual Control, the situation in eastern Ladakh, military infrastructure near the border, trade imbalance, restrictions on rare earth supplies, and detentions of Indian citizens.

He also alleged that the Modi government had compromised India’s strategic interests, citing China’s military support to Pakistan, including during Operation Sindoor, and accused the Centre of maintaining silence on Chinese claims of intervening to stop hostilities between India and Pakistan.

Khera further claimed that China continued attempts to intrude into sensitive regions such as the Siliguri Corridor and asserted territorial claims over areas like the Shaksgam Valley, while the BJP maintained regular engagement with the CPC.

“The BJP has maintained a continuous relationship with the CPC, with at least 12 such interactions since 2008. The question is not whether meetings happen, but what actually transpires behind closed doors,” Khera said.