india

Updated: Mar 14, 2019 12:14 IST

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday sharpened his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after China blocked a UN resolution against Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. Gandhi hit out at PM Modi saying he was scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

He said the prime minister “swings” with the Chinese president in his home state Gujarat but maintains silence after China blocks UNSC resolution against Masood Azhar.

“Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMo’s China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China,” Gandhi wrote on Twitter.

The Bharatiya Janata Party countered Gandhi attempting to put the onus of the Chinese action at the UNSC on Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of the country. The party alleged that Nehru “gifted” China a seat at the UNSC giving the country leverage over India.

The ruling party also attacked Gandhi alleging that the Congress president holds meeting “with the Chinese envoys secretly”.

“China wouldn’t be in UNSC had your great grandfather not ‘gifted’ it to them at India’s cost. India is undoing all mistakes of your family. Be assured that India will win the fight against terror. Leave it to PM Modi while you keep cosying up with the Chinese envoys secretly,” the BJP said on Twitter.

Gandhi has been critical of Modi government’s diplomacy especially in the context of India’s relation with China. The Congress president had targeted PM Modi when he flew to China for an informal meet with President Xi Jinping amid Doklam face-off in Bhutan.

On Wednesday, India’s bid against Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist suffered a setback as China placed technical hold on a proposal moved by France, the US and the UK.

The technical hold placed by China at the UNSC means a fresh proposal against Masood Azhar can’t moved over next six months. This can be extended by three months. During this nine-month period the member nations have to present documents to establish Masood Azhar’s link with Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Masood Azhar’s Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for Pulwama terror attack killing 40 CRPF soldiers on February 14. India launched a diplomatic campaign to put sanctions on Masood Azhar, whose Jaish-e-Mohammed already figures in the UN list of terrorist organisations.