Mani Shankar Aiyar, a senior Congress leader, sparked a new controversy by referring to the 1962 Indo-China war as an "alleged Chinese invasion." As a purported video of an event at the Foreign Correspondents Club on Tuesday, where Mani Shankar Aiyar made the statement, started circulating on social media, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed out that his party colleague had subsequently apologised "unreservedly" for using the term "alleged invasion" mistakenly, and that the party distances itself from the original phraseology.

Jairam Ramesh also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of exonerating the Chinese for their incursions in May 2020 by giving them a "clean chit."

In the video clip from an event – the book launch of 'Nehru's First Recruits' – Mani Shankar Aiyar is heard saying, "...In October 1962, the Chinese allegedly invaded India."

Later, in a brief statement, Aiyar said, "I unreservedly apologise for having mistakenly used the word ‘alleged’ before 'Chinese invasion' at the Foreign Correspondents Club this evening."

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya, however, criticised the Congress over Aiyar's remarks.

“Mani Shankar Aiyar, speaking at the FCC, during the launch of a book called Nehru's First Recruits, refers to the Chinese invasion in 1962 as 'alleged'. This is a brazen attempt at revisionism,” Amit Malviya wrote on X (formally Twitter).

"Nehru gave up India's claim on permanent seat at the UNSC in favour of the Chinese, Rahul Gandhi signed a secret MoU, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation accepted funds from the Chinese Embassy and published reports recommending market access for Chinese companies, based on them, Sonia Gandhi's UPA opened up Indian market for Chinese goods, hurting MSMEs and now Congress leader Aiyar wants to whitewash the Chinese invasion, post which the Chinese have been in illegal occupation of 38,000 sq km of Indian territory," he alleged.

What explains “Congress's love for the Chinese?” Amit Malviya asked.

Amid the controversy, Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, said, "Allowances must be made for his (Aiyar's) age. The INC distances itself from his original phraseology."

"The Chinese invasion of India that began on October 20 1962 was for REAL. So too were the Chinese incursions in Ladakh in early May 2020 in which 40 of our soldiers were martyred and the status quo disturbed," Ramesh wrote.

"The outgoing PM, however, gave a clean chit publicly to the Chinese on June 19th 2020, seriously weakening our negotiating position. 2000 sq km of territory including Depsang and Demchok remain out of bounds for Indian troops," Ramesh added.

The Congress general secretary also reposted his previous remarks in which he had accused PM Narendra Modi of absolving China of any wrongdoing.

The former Union minister has been no stranger to controversies. Earlier this month, Aiyar sparked controversy after a clip from an interview went viral, in which he referred to Pakistan as a "respected nation" that possesses an atom bomb, suggesting that India should engage in dialogue with them.

He added that there have been “no efforts” from India to “reach out” to Pakistan in the last ten years.

In February, the Congress veteran ignited another controversy by praising the Pakistani people and terming them as the "biggest asset of India."

Speaking at the session titled 'Hijr Ki Rakh, Visaal Kay Phool, Indo-Pak affairs' in Lahore, Aiyar expressed his fondness for Pakistan and its people, stating that he had never experienced such a warm welcome in any other country as he did in Pakistan.

Image source: ANI