Congress Says BRICS Declaration Silent on Ladakh and Arunachal

The Congress has raised questions over the BRICS declaration, pointing out that it makes no reference to Ladakh or Arunachal Pradesh. Party leader Nana Patole said the omission was significant given the territories India considers occupied by China.

Patole said the Prime Minister should use the summit platform to speak plainly on the issue and press for the withdrawal of Chinese forces from these areas. He described such a demand as the most valuable outcome India could secure from the gathering.

"Considering how China has occupied territories like Arunachal and Ladakh, the Prime Minister should speak bluntly and demand China's withdrawal. That would be the greatest benefit India could derive from this summit," Patole said.

The party's objection centres on the declaration's language, which it says avoids naming the disputed regions even as border tensions remain a central concern in India-China relations. The Congress has not indicated any further course of action beyond its public demand that the government take a firmer line at the summit.