India’s Absence from China’s Victory Day Parade – A Major Setback in Foreign Policy: Dr. Jay Narayan Vyas
In Ahmeddabad addressing a press conference at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, GPCC Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, senior Congress leader and former cabinet minister Dr. Jay Narayan Vyas raised serious questions over the Government of India’s foreign policy.
Vyas said on On 3rd September 2025, China celebrated its Victory Day in Beijing. The date marks the historic surrender of Japan in World War II on 2nd September 1945. China observes 3rd September as a significant day to remember the sacrifices made during the war—between 1931 and 1945, over 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians lost their lives fighting fascist forces.
At Tiananmen Square on 3rd September 2025, the grand parade featured 12,000 soldiers, over 100 military aircraft, hundreds of vehicles, hypersonic missiles, intercontinental ballistic missiles, undersea drones, laser defense systems, stealth fighters, and unmanned robotic systems—showcasing China’s modern military strength.
China had invited 26 countries, including India’s neighbors Nepal, Myanmar, Maldives, and Pakistan. Former Japanese PM Yukio Hatoyama and South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker were also present.
What should concern India most, Dr. Vyas said, is the presence of Nepal’s PM K.P. Sharma Oli at the event.
Whether India was officially invited or not remains undisclosed by the Government of India. However, the absence of the Indian PM was glaring, especially since he had rushed to attend the SCO Summit in Tianjin just before the parade. The parade was not just a military show but a geopolitical signal to the US and the world by President Xi Jinping, who took the salute alongside Russia, North Korea, Iran, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and other allies.
Even in the recent SCO sidelines meeting, border disputes were not raised with Xi Jinping. India’s attempt to lean closer to China and Russia has yielded little, while relations with the US have deteriorated. The absence of the Indian PM at the parade is evidence of this failed diplomatic balancing act.
China plays all sides—Russia, the US, and neighbors—to its advantage. But India, once a strong partner of the US, has drifted away, while China remains an unreliable partner. Dr. Vyas remarked that India neither pleased China nor kept the US on its side—“we lost both.”
He criticized PM Narendra Modi’s foreign policy as a total failure, claiming it has harmed India’s standing with Maldives, Nepal, the US, and Iran alike.
“Our Prime Minister has failed on every front—from administration to foreign policy. He should gracefully step down when he turns 75 on 17th September. His reckless diplomacy has left India isolated—while neighbors like Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, and Pakistan stood in Beijing, India was nowhere to be seen,” he said.
Dr. Vyas demanded that the Government clarify Whether India was invited among the 26 countries.If yes, why did neither the PM, External Affairs Minister, nor Defence Minister attend.
Why was India missing when smaller neighbors were present, leaving an impression that China does not count India among its close partners.
The press conference was attended by Dr. Manish Doshi (Media Convenor & Spokesperson), Hemang Raval (Co-convenor & Spokesperson), and Dr. Hiren Banker (Spokesperson).
