New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has had to step in and reprimand his Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh for his comments in China criticising the Home Ministry. He has asked Ramesh to speak to Home Minister P Chidambaram. (
Read: Home Ministry 'alarmist' on China: Jairam Ramesh)
The Home Minister has written to the PM about Ramesh's remarks, the Congress is embarrassed, the BJP wants Ramesh to resign.
On a visit to China this weekend, Jairam Ramesh embarrassed his own government by using words like "alarmist" and "paranoid" to describe the Home Ministry's policies towards Chinese companies looking to enter India.
Ramesh tried to explain his comments to Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister on the phone. He was then reprimanded.
There was also public censure from his party. "It is not right to air such differences in public. Congress disapproves of such statements made on foreign soil," party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said while addressing the mediapersons in New Delhi.
The BJP agreed swiftly, jumping in with the demand that Ramesh be sacked. The Opposition party also suggested that the PM keep his ministers in check. (
Watch: Prime Minister should sack Jairam: BJP)
Ramesh said in Beijing that the "overly defensive and alarmist" approach in the security establishments in India which are raising telephone tapping concerns would not help in sustaining the Copenhagen spirit. He also said that India should be much more relaxed in its approach to Chinese investments into the country and get rid of "needless" restrictions, adding "we are imagining demons where there are none."
Ramesh allegedly made his remarks in the context of recent reports that India had barred import of telecom equipment from the major Chinese firm Huawei, especially in the border areas, following security concerns.
Many wonder what sort of defense Ramesh has offered to his party. He criticised the government on a foreign tour, which is a no-no even among Opposition leaders. He questioned an internal security issue. And he singled out one company that he felt was being discriminated against, making him an easy target for the BJP and others who ask why a minister was lobbying for a corporate.
The Prime Minister reportedly told Ramesh that there is no confusion in the government over its approach towards China with which it wants to have constructive engagement, PTI quoted PMO sources as saying.
The sources were also quoted by PTI as saying that Singh told Ramesh it was advisable for Cabinet colleagues not to make comments on the functioning of other ministries, especially with regard to India's relationship with important neighbours like China.
Home Secretary G K Pillai said there is absolutely no bias against China saying, "Chinese companies are already present in India in a big way. They are working in a variety of sectors, including in telecommunications sector. I don't think there is any discrimination happening from the government's side." Sources in the Home Ministry add that objections, if any, are company-specific.
Representatives of major Chinese telecom firms will meet Pillai on Wednesday to discuss India's objections. The Home Secretary will also meet with the Chinese ambassador.
(With PTI inputs)