New Delhi, Apr 27 (TOI): In the midst of the Modi-Xi palaver in China's Wuhan city, Congress president Rahul Gandhi interjected with a keen observation about the Prime Minister.
"Dear PM, saw the live TV feed of your "No Agenda" China visit. You look tense!" Rahul said in a tweet today.
The Gandhi scion went on to remind the PM to keep certain matters of national interest in mind during his "heart-to-heart" talks with Xi Jinping on this "no agenda" visit.
"A quick reminder: (1) DOKLAM; (2) China Pakistan Eco Corridor passes through POK. That’s Indian territory. India wants to hear you talk about these crucial issues," he said.
Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a standoff in Doklam area last year. The face-off ended through negotiations after 72 days.
The CPEC, a part of the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and India opposes the controversial project.
"You have our support," Rahul added solicitously.
PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping today began talks at an unprecedented two-day informal summit in Wuhan, during which they will have a series of one-on-one conversations focusing on bilateral, global and regional issues.
Earlier in the day, Congress communications-in-charge Randeep Surjewala asked of Modi whether he will remember his innate duty of protecting India's strategic interests by raising the Doklam issue with China that impacts national security.
Surjewala said India is facing an increasingly aggressive China which is trying intrude into the 'chicken neck' - Siliguri corridor - by building a new road through south of Doklam, and wondered why is the Modi government "clueless and incapable" to send a strong message to China.
"Modi ji may not be able to show 'red eyes' as he loftily promised, but will he show the courage and conviction to do plain-speaking on Doklam and defend India's interests?," the Congress leader said.
Speaking at a rally in poll-bound Karnataka yesterday, Rahul had mocked Modi, saying the PM talked about "56 inch chest" but his words were "hollow".
"Modi ji sat on a swing with China's President, then the Chinese President intruded his army into Doklam, 56 inch chest did not utter a word. Now he has gone to China in aeroplane."