Jaishankar’s Blistering Jibe at ‘China Guru’ Jairam Ramesh Ignites Parliament Debate

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, dubbed “China guru,” in Parliament on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The exchange, which occurred during a discussion on Operation Sindoor, saw Jaishankar challenge Ramesh’s expertise on India-China relations and historical perspectives, leading to a heated debate and drawing strong reactions from both treasury and opposition benches. The minister’s remarks underscored the ongoing political tussle over India’s foreign policy, particularly concerning its eastern neighbor.

Decoding the Minister’s Critique on India-China Relations

• A Personal Dig at ‘China Guru’: Jaishankar, drawing on his 41 years in foreign service, including a stint as the longest-serving Ambassador, questioned the credentials of “China gurus” like Jairam Ramesh. He specifically referred to Ramesh’s 2007 book, ‘Making Sense of Chindia: Reflections on China and India,’ where the term ‘Chindia’ was coined, implying an overly optimistic or perhaps naive view of India-China relations.
• Knowledge Acquisition Under Scrutiny: The External Affairs Minister further jabbed at Ramesh, suggesting that his understanding of China wasn’t gained through official channels or extensive diplomatic experience but rather from unconventional sources, including “private tuitions” at the Chinese Ambassador’s residence and observations during the Olympics. This pointed criticism aimed to diminish Ramesh’s claims of expertise on India-China relations.
• Historical Context of Bilateral Ties: Jaishankar meticulously detailed various instances of collaboration between India and Pakistan that, he argued, were facilitated by China, particularly during Congress-led governments.
  • Karakoram Highway (1966-1986): He highlighted the planning and completion of the India-Pakistan Karakoram Highway, which occurred during Congress’s tenure, suggesting that the foundation for close Pakistan-China ties, often cited by ‘China gurus,’ was laid much earlier.
  • Nuclear Collaboration (1976): The minister also pointed to nuclear collaboration between the two nations in 1976, further asserting that the narrative of Pakistan-China proximity developing overnight due to current government policies was historically inaccurate.
  • Ongoing Talks (1980): Jaishankar noted that even when an Indian Prime Minister was visiting Pakistan in 1980 for a potential deal, discussions between China and Pakistan were concurrently underway, indicating a long-standing strategic alignment that predates recent developments in India-China relations.

Opposition’s Persistent Concerns on India-China Relations

• Jairam Ramesh’s Criticisms: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has been a vocal critic of the Centre’s handling of India-China relations. He has consistently demanded parliamentary debates on the issue, expressing concerns about China’s growing influence.
• China’s Influence on Pakistan’s Air Force: More recently, on July 4, Ramesh alleged “China’s influence over Pakistan’s Air Force,” especially in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in April and the subsequent increase in India-Pakistan hostilities. He argued that India was effectively confronting a China-backed Pakistani Air Force.
• Demand for Discussion: Ramesh reiterated the Congress’s long-standing demand for a comprehensive discussion on India-China relations in Parliament, particularly in light of what he claims is the Prime Minister giving a “clean chit” to China regarding border incursions.

Indian Diplomacy’s Gains: Beyond India-China Relations

• TRF as a Terrorist Entity: Jaishankar also used his parliamentary address to highlight a significant diplomatic achievement: the UNSC Monitoring Team’s acceptance of The Resistance Front (TRF) as a terrorist entity.
• Leap in Counter-Terrorism Diplomacy: He emphasized that Indian diplomacy in the realm of counter-terrorism has made considerable strides over the past decade, showcasing a broader success narrative beyond the immediate focus on India-China relations.

The heated exchange between Jaishankar and Ramesh underscores the critical nature of India-China relations in India’s political discourse and foreign policy strategy. As the debate continues, the nuances of historical context and present-day challenges remain central to understanding the complexities of India’s stance on its powerful eastern neighbor. The discussion also highlights the government’s efforts to assert its diplomatic successes, even as the opposition presses for greater accountability and transparency on sensitive border and geopolitical issues.