A full-blown political debate has erupted in India over how far Chinese troops have penetrated into Indian territory and why the government is silent on the whole issue.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted that even though the Chinese had entered Ladakh and occupied Indian territory, Prime Minister Modi was not talking about it.
In response, the BJP says the country's strategic interests are at stake, this shouldn't be discussed on Twitter.
Many observers also believe that the Ladakh border conflict will not lead to war in the end - a notion that India is probably reluctant to comment on.
Well-known Indian defense analyst Ajay Shukla, in an article published on Wednesday, claimed that China has taken a very tough stance on the border conflict in Ladakh - and they have not only occupied a large part of Pangong Lake, but the entire Galwan Valley.
Border situation is critical
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi tagged the article and asked from his Twitter handle - Why there is no response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite such a big incident?
"There are reports that Chinese troops have entered Indian territory at least 40 to 60 kilometers away, and the situation is very serious," Congress spokesman Manish Tiwari told reporters online.
"But there is no official statement from the government on the border situation!"
BJP leader and senior cabinet minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, however, has resorted to counter-attacking the Congress for raising such questions.
"How much Rahul Gandhi understands India's strategic interests is another big issue that can be debated," he said.
"But he should at least understand that military relations with China cannot be openly questioned on Twitter like this!"
This silence will not lead to war
It is clear that Delhi is not willing to open mouth on the border situation.
Media asked Professor Chakraborty, a Fellow of the Institute of China Studies in Delhi, what the possible reasons behind this might be.
Professor Chakraborty says, "India is well aware that China is doing this muscle flexing for the sake of their domestic constituency. That is to show the people of their country, because their internal situation is a little under pressure and so they will do it now."
"But it will not turn into a military conflict," she said. "And that's probably why India doesn't want to open their mouth about it, because if they does, it will take another turn!"
"And when the BJP was not in power, they always said that the Congress was bowing to Chinese pressure. Today, when the Congress is not in power, they are saying the same thing about the BJP - so I don't give much importance to them," said Professor Chakraborty.
But even the slightest military confrontation with neighboring China or Pakistan has never escaped the shadow of politics in India, and this is no exception.
References:
- Translated from BBC Bangla