Shivraj Singh Chouhan slams Rahul Gandhi over India-China statement

“When Mr Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister, even small countries threatened us. Mr Rahul ought not to speak in an unrestrained manner. On this day, nobody dares to look India in the eye,” Chouhan said in response to a media query in this district headquarters.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Friday accused the Centre of downplaying the threat posed by China, claiming that Beijing was preparing for war but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration was "sleeping".

His comments came days after the fresh clash between troops of the two countries along the de facto border in the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh.

Speaking at a stopover during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan's Dausa, Gandhi had said: "China is preparing for war, not for an incursion. See their pattern of weapons. They are preparing for war. Our government is not accepting it. The government of India is working on events, not on strategy."

"China has taken our land. They are beating out soldiers. The threat of China Is clear. And the government is hiding it, ignoring it. China is preparing for an offensive in Ladakh and Arunachal. And the government of India is sleeping," the Congress MP had said.

He had also slammed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, saying his statements showed he needed to expand his knowledge of China.

Gandhi was accompanied by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot by his side.