External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched a sharp critique of Rahul Gandhi’s assertion in Lok Sabha that the Modi government had “brought China and Pakistan together.” He responded that such alignment pre-dates the current administration and has its roots in policies from Congress-led governments, suggesting Rahul Gandhi needs “some history lessons.” The Times of India+15indianewsnetwork.com+15YouTube+15
In a Twitter thread, Jaishankar highlighted key historical connections:
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In 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded the Shaksgam Valley to China.
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In the 1970s, China built the Karakoram Highway through Pakistan‑Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
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From the 1970s onwards, the two countries had nuclear collaboration.
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In 2013, they launched the China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“So ask yourself: were China and Pakistan ever distant?” he asked. The Times of India+6indianewsnetwork.com+6www.ndtv.com+6
In a fiery speech in Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar sarcastically labeled Rahul Gandhi a “China‑guru,” mocking him for supposedly gaining China expertise through Beijing Olympic invites and private tuitions from Chinese diplomats, rather than formal diplomatic or academic channels. He quipped: “Were you sleeping in history class?” The Economic Times+1
Furthermore, Jaishankar blamed Congress-era decisions for facilitating the strategic convergence of China and Pakistan, citing earlier periods when Indian policy was less proactive. He stressed that the alliance has evolved over decades, not leapfrogged under the current government.
