Don't politicise army action against militants: Congress

The Congress on Wednesday complimented the Indian Army for its operation against militants along the India-Myanmar border, but said such matters should not be politicised.

Party spokesperson Ajay Maken said there was a difference between what Minister of State for External Affairs Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore claimed and what the army has said.

"The Indian Army has never said that it entered Myanmar. What we would like to say is that such things should never be politicised," he said.

Maken said there was an agreement between India and Myanmar in 2010 which allows the Indian Army to enter Myanmar if it is required.

"So if you talk about taking political credit, if you want to talk such things, they do not happen in a day. The foundations are laid much before," he said.

Maken said that on sensitive issues which has impact on external relations, "we should be very sensitive in taking credit".

Rathore had tweeted on Tuesday: "Indian army strikes into the heart of militants. Desh ke dushmano ko karara jawab. Kushal netritva, mazboot sarkar PM@narendramodi #56inchRocks."

Maken said he was not sure whether Rathore had approval of higher-ups in the government about his tweet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had used the term "56 inch chest" during the Lok Sabha election campaign.