China attacking Modi's '56 inch' image, warns Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday released the second in a series of videos explaining his views on current issues.

The video released on Monday is a continuation of the theme of the first video, released on July 17, in which Rahul alleged China had taken advantage of India's weakening economy and deteriorating foreign relations to launch its incursions across the Line of Actual Control.

In the new monologue video, which lasts little over 2.30 minutes, Rahul discusses "China's strategic game plan" with respect to the standoff in Ladakh.

Rahul argued the standoff was "simply not a border issue. The worry I have is that the Chinese are sitting in our territory today".

Rahul explained the situation in Ladakh was part of China's larger global game plan.

Rahul explained, “The Chinese don't do anything without thinking about it strategically. In their minds, they have mapped out the world and they are trying to shape the world [to suit their interests]."

He called China's development of the Gwadar port in Pakistan and Belt and Road Initiative as examples of this attempt by China at "restructuring the planet".

Referring to the situation in Ladakh, Rahul said, "At the tactical level, they are trying to improve their position, whether it is at Galwan, Demchok or Pangong [Tso] lake. They are disturbed by our highway; they want to make our highway redundant."

Sounding an ominous note about the possibility of a 'two-front' war involving Pakistan, Rahul said, "If they are thinking larger scale, they want to do something with Pakistan in Kashmir."

Rahul declared the situation in Ladakh was not simply a border issue, but "a border issue designed to put pressure on the prime minister of India". Rahul alleged China was attacking Modi's image. Rahul declared China understands "in order for Narendra Modi to survive as an effective politician, he has to protect the idea of '56 inch’".

During campaigning for the 2014 Parliament elections, Modi had projected himself as having a '56-inch chest' to tout his credentials as a tough leader.

Rahul declared, the Chinese are telling Modi, "If you do not do what we say, we will destroy the idea of Narendra Modi as a strong leader."

Rahul claimed the worry he had was Modi had succumbed to the threat by the Chinese to his image. "The worry I have is the Chinese are sitting in our territory and the prime minister has said publicly they are not."

Rahul warned, “If he allows the Chinese to manipulate him because of his image, the Indian prime minister will no longer be worth anything".