New Delhi

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks that the BJP government's policies have brought "China and Pakistan together," stating that "some history lessons are in order" and that Pakistan illegally handed over the Shaksgam Valley to China in 1963, when a Congress government was in office.

He said that China built the Karakoram highway through PoK in the 1970s and CPEC was started in 2013 when Congress-led UPA was in power at the Centre. Jaishankar also slammed Gandhi over his remarks in Lok Sabha during debate on the motion of thanks on President's Address that the government could not get a foreign guest for Republic Day.

Taunting Gandhi over his frequent foreign visits, Jaishankar said "those who live in India know we were in the midst of a corona wave" and added that India held a virtual summit with presidents of five central Asian countries. "Rahul Gandhi alleged in Lok Sabha that it is this Government which brought Pakistan and China together.

Rahul Gandhi in his speech said the government has brought China and Pakistan together. "The Chinese have a very clear vision of what they want to do. The single biggest strategic goal of India's foreign policy has been to keep Pakistan and China separate. What you have done is, you have brought them together," he said. "Do not be under any illusion, do not underestimate the force that is standing in front of you. You have brought Pakistan and China together. This is the single biggest crime that you could commit against the people of India," he added.

Meanwhile The United States has said that it "would not endorse" Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the foreign policies of the BJP-led government".

Responding to a question on Rahul Gandhi suggesting that China and Pakistan are closer due to the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price in a press briefing said, "I will leave it to the Pakistanis and the PRC to speak to their relationship. I certainly would not - would not endorse those remarks."

Asked about Pakistan working closely with China, the spokesperson said that countries are not required to choose between the US and China, adding that American partnership conveys a series of advantages.

"We've made the point all along that it is not a requirement for any country around the world to choose between the United States and China. It is our intention to provide choices to countries when it comes to what the relationship with the United States looks like. And we think the partnership with the United States conveys a series of advantages that countries typically would not find when it comes to the sorts of partnerships that - "partnerships" may be the wrong term; the sorts of relationships that the PRC has sought to - has sought to have around the world," said Price.

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