Mani Shankar Aiyar Says Chinese ‘Allegedly Invaded’ India in 1962, Apologises For ‘Mistake’ Later

New Delhi: Known to make controversial statements, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has kicked up a fresh political row after saying the Chinese “allegedly invaded” India in 1962. Both his party and the BJP have reacted to his remarks. The veteran leader later apologised “unreservedly” for his “mistake”, even as his party said it has distanced itself from the “original phraseology” and the BJP called it a “brazen attempt at revisionism”.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed out that Aiyar had subsequently apologised for his remarks and “allowances must be made for his age”. He said the party has distanced itself from his “original phraseology”. But, he also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of giving a “clean chit” to the Chinese for their incursions into India in May 2020.

Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar has subequently apologised unreservedly for using the term “alleged invasion” mistakenkly. Allowances must be made for his age. The INC distances itself from his original phraseology.

The Chinese invasion of India that began on October 20 1962 was for… https://t.co/74oXfL1Ur2

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 28, 2024

According to a purported video of an event at the Foreign Correspondents Club on Tuesday evening (May 28), Aiyar, while narrating an anecdote, said, “…In October 1962, the Chinese allegedly invaded India.” He made the remarks at the launch of the book Nehru’s First Recruits.

The BJP’s IT department head, Amit Malviya, slammed the Congress over Aiyar’s remarks. “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,” the BJP leader said on X.

“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.