India earned great respect by remaining neutral between global powers, says Kharge

Kharge criticizes Modi's foreign policy, claiming it undermines India's global standing and harms national interests.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is harming India’s global standing through his foreign policy decisions.

Mr. Kharge was speaking after inaugurating completed development works and laying foundation stone for new projects together worth ₹1,069 crore at Chittapur in Kalaburagi district.

Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge, Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil and Small Scale Industries and Public Enterprises Minister Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, among other leaders, were present.

Referring to India’s earlier foreign policy approach, Mr. Kharge said that when Jawaharlal Nehru was Prime Minister, India earned great respect internationally by leading several countries in the Non-Aligned Movement and maintaining neutrality in conflicts between global powers.

“By remaining neutral between the superpowers, India earned great honour and respect. The Non-Aligned Movement played a crucial role in maintaining global peace and security. Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is aligning India with the United States and Israel and helping disturb global peace and security,” he claimed.

Launching a sharp attack on the Centre over India’s crude oil procurement policy, Mr. Kharge said that India earlier purchased crude oil from various countries, including Iran, Russia and Venezuela, depending on where it was cheaper.