Congress Questions if ‘New Normal’ is Shaped by Chinese Aggression and Government Inaction

Fast Summary:

• Prime minister narendra Modi met Chinese President xi Jinping in tianjin on August 31, 2025, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
• PM Modi emphasized advancing India-China relations based on mutual trust,respect,and sensitivity and highlighted cooperation for the welfare of 2.8 billion people.
• Congress criticized the meeting, alleging that PM Modi’s stance legitimizes China’s territorial aggression and accused the government of being “spineless” in response to Chinese actions such as border tensions in Ladakh.
• The Congress raised concerns over issues including China-Pakistan coordination during Operation Sindoor, alleged dumping of imports from China affecting Indian MSMEs, and a hydel project announced by China on the Yarlung Tsangpo river which could impact India’s Northeast region.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

Prime Minister Modi’s bilateral engagement with President Xi at a multilateral forum like SCO reflects India’s focus on diplomacy amidst strained ties with China. While asserting commitments to cooperation could serve regional stability goals, unresolved geopolitical disputes such as border tensions remain critical. The Congress’s criticism highlights concerns about perceived leniency toward territorial aggression while underlying economic repercussions from unchecked imports merit attention.

India’s balancing act between reconciliation and protecting sovereign interests will be key in determining its trajectory with Beijing. Additionally, projects like China’s hydel plans demand multi-layered policy evaluation to safeguard domestic implications for water security and ecological impact.

Read more: The Hindu – PM Modi in China LIVE