Mani Shankar sparks fresh row referring to 1962 Indo-China war as "alleged invasion"

Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's recent statement referring to the 1962 Indo-China war as an "alleged Chinese invasion" has ignited controversy. 

A video clip of Aiyar making this assertion during an event started circulating on social media platforms, drawing sharp reactions from various quarters.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh clarified that Aiyar had apologized "unreservedly" for using the term "alleged invasion" mistakenly. 

The Congress party distanced itself from the original phraseology, emphasizing that the 1962 conflict was indeed a significant event in India-China relations.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized upon Aiyar's remarks, with its IT cell head, Amit Malviya, calling it a "brazen attempt at revisionism." Malviya highlighted historical facts related to the 1962 war and questioned the Congress's stance.

“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.

During the controversy, Jairam Ramesh emphasized that the Chinese invasion of India in 1962 was real, as were the Chinese incursions in Ladakh in May 2020. 

He criticized the outgoing Prime Minister for giving China a clean chit in 2020, which weakened India's negotiating position.

Taking Aiyar's age into account, the Congress party distanced itself from his original phraseology, emphasizing the gravity of the 1962 conflict and its impact on India's history.