Congress questions Centre's plan to lift ban on bidding by Chinese Cos

New Delhi: Congress has questioned the Modi government's reported plan to lift the five-year ban on Chinese firms bidding for Indian government contracts, imposed in the wake of the India-China clashes in Ladakh's Galwan Valley in 2020, and sought a clarification on the matter from the Prime Minister during the budget session of Parliament.

"The five-year ban on Chinese companies is being lifted. Modiji insulted the sacrifices of the brave Indian soldiers in Galwan Valley by giving China a clean chit. Now, by rolling out the 'red carpet' for Chinese companies, he is demonstrating how deeply the 'red colour' of China runs in his red eyes," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Friday.

Pointing out that China had extended "full military backing" to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor last year and arguing that China continues to maintain heavy military presence in eastern Ladakh and denies Indian troops access to the traditional patrolling points, Congress communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Centre's move amounted to nothing short of a calibrated capitulation to Chinese aggression.


"This move follows earlier decisions allowing Chinese firms to invest in India's electronics sector, liberally granting visas to Chinese workers, and comes amid a continuing rise in India's record trade deficit with China," Ramesh said. "It is part of a broader set of recommendations from NITI Aayog aimed at removing restrictions on Chinese trade and investment in India entirely. This is nothing short of a calibrated capitulation to Chinese aggression, born out of the Prime Minister's own weakness, as demonstrated most shamefully by his public clean chit to China on June 19, 2020."