New Delhi, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : Udit Raj, a prominent Congress leader, has raised concerns about the BRICS summit‘s benefits and the effectiveness of the Indian government’s foreign policy. His remarks come amid differing opinions within the Congress party regarding the summit’s significance.
While Shashi Tharoor praised India’s hosting of the BRICS summit, Raj emphasized that being in the opposition does not mean uncritical acceptance of government actions. He argued that commendation should only follow tangible benefits for the nation.
Raj pointed out that while international conferences like BRICS can be significant, the government must clarify the economic and strategic gains for India. He questioned whether the summit led to an increase in foreign direct investment or if it helped retain foreign institutional investors in the Indian stock market. He stated that mere discussions around GDP figures and major international events do not translate into real benefits for the public.
He also scrutinized the outcomes of previous international gatherings, including the G-20, asking what concrete advantages they brought to the country. Raj highlighted India’s financial contributions to BRICS and insisted that the government clarify the actual economic benefits derived from this platform.
The Congress leader criticized the central government’s foreign policy, stressing the need to address issues faced by Indian students and skilled workers abroad. He referred to recent tensions with Pakistan, asserting that India must secure broad diplomatic support on international platforms. The assessment of BRICS’s utility, he argued, should be based on the diplomatic backing India receives during crises.
Addressing the differing views within Congress regarding BRICS, Raj noted that this should not be seen as a contradiction. Tharoor regards the summit as a prestigious opportunity, while P. Chidambaram has raised questions about its benefits. Raj pointed out that hosting BRICS is based on a rotation system and should not be reduced to a matter of prestige alone. He echoed Chidambaram’s concerns, emphasizing the need for real economic benefits.
Using the example of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Raj argued that the true value of such large events lies in their long-term benefits for tourism and the economy. He claimed that the tourism sector in India has not received the anticipated boost.
On the topic of the potential special parliamentary session regarding women’s reservation, Raj noted that the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in 2023. He criticized the government for linking its implementation to the delimitation process, urging for immediate action. Congress supports the bill and advocates for swift implementation. Raj accused the BJP of creating misconceptions about the Congress and the INDIA alliance on this issue.
Regarding the recent controversy over Hindi in Kerala, Raj supported the state government’s objections, stating that imposing a language on a region is inappropriate and can hurt local sentiments. He acknowledged that Hindi and English are vital for communication across the country but stressed the importance of respecting regional languages and identities, warning that prioritizing Hindi could lead to discontent in southern states.
Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifting a book to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Raj remarked that such gestures are symbolic in diplomacy. However, he urged the government to focus on the actual results of meetings and agreements that benefit the country. He noted visible American pressure on India’s energy policy, asserting that the success of foreign policy and international meetings should be evaluated based on tangible benefits rather than symbolic gifts and photographs.
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