Congress criticises PM Modi's soft stand on Chinese incursions

Chinese President's rare trip to the country was dominated by a standoff on a barren Himalayan plateau between soldiers from the world's two most populous nations.

However, the government on Monday cancelled the clearances of Chinese media persons coming to New Delhi for an interaction with their Indian counterparts, following reports of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers pitching tents in Indian territory.

Reportedly, some PLA personnel erected seven tents in Ladakh's Chumar sector, ignoring the warnings of the Indian Army.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi blamed the weak foreign policy of the Modi Government for the Chinese incursions.

"These incidents have shown the failure of our foreign policy. On the one hand we are speaking to the Chinese President, welcoming him, and on the other hand, their army is entering our homes. What kind of foreign policy is this? If the government had taken up this matter strongly with the Chinese President then maybe this outcome wouldn't have been there," said Alvi.

Chinese troops as well as civilians transgressed the de facto but disputed border with India last week that overshadowed Xi's three-day visit.

However, a leader of BJP said Modi should get emissaries from both the countries to talk to each other.

"I think the Prime Minister should personally take responsibility for this, and then try and see how best we can have emissaries go to China or have emissaries come from there," said BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.

Xi played down the tensions and agreed with Modi that they should work to settle the border question at an early date, reiterating language China has used in the past.

Meanwhile, security expert Alok Bansal said the incursions are hampering India-China ties.

"Such incidents are not desirable especially after such a successful tour that the Chinese President has had of India. And first time after six decades there was bonhomie, there were public receptions, there were public expressions of support for China and at this juncture, this sort of an event will turn the popular opinion against China," said Bansal.