Rahul Gandhi has criticised the Modi administration, claiming that the failure of the ‘Make in India’ campaign is the direct cause of China’s presence in Indian territory. In a speech to the Lok Sabha on February 3, 2025, he underlined the need for a strong domestic manufacturing sector to offset India’s reliance on Chinese goods, which he said poses serious national security risks.
“The reason China is sitting inside this country is because ‘Make in India’ has failed,” Gandhi said in his speech, highlighting India’s inferior industrial capabilities to those of China. “If and when we fight a war with China, we will be fighting with Chinese electric motors, Chinese batteries, and Chinese optics,” he said, expressing concern that India would be reliant on Chinese-made defense components in the event of conflict.
Gandhi’s remarks caused a stir, with BJP members contesting his assertions and calling for proof of China’s military presence. He maintained that China has an advantage over India because wars are waged not only with weapons but also with industrial systems. In order to prevent further economic vulnerabilities, he also criticized the government’s economic policies and advocated for a renewed emphasis on domestic production.Gandhi pointed out that although Prime Minister Modi has denied the existence of Chinese troops, the Chief of Army Staff has acknowledged that they are present on Indian soil, covering an area of about 4,000 square kilometers. The ‘Make in India’ campaign hasn’t increased domestic production, which Gandhi says is a crucial component of national security. He pointed out that India’s manufacturing sector now accounts for 12.6% of its GDP, the lowest level in 60 years, down from 15.3% in 2014. China’s presence on Indian soil, he claimed, is a direct result of this failure. Gandhi underlined that the Chief of Army Staff’s remarks confirm that Chinese troops are in fact on Indian soil, despite Prime Minister Modi’s denials of Chinese incursions.