Jaipur/IBNS: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Friday accused the Centre of downplaying the threat posed by China, claiming that Beijing was preparing for war but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration was "sleeping".

His comments came days after the fresh clash between troops of the two countries along the de facto border in the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh.

Speaking at a stopover during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan's Dausa, Gandhi said: "China is preparing for war, not for an incursion. See their pattern of weapons. They are preparing for war. Our government is not accepting it. The government of India is working on events, not on strategy."

"China has taken our land. They are beating out soldiers. The threat of China Is clear. And the government is hiding it, ignoring it. China is preparing for an offensive in Ladakh and Arunachal. And the government of India is sleeping," the Congress MP said.

He also slammed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, saying his statements showed he needed to expand his knowledge of China.

Gandhi was accompanied by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot by his side.

On Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in his address at the Parliament said timely intervention of the troops on the ground forced the Chinese soldiers back to their positions.

Speaking first in the Lok Sabha and then Rajya Sabha, Singh had said that the PLA troops, on Dec 9 did attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by encroaching upon the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh.

"Our Army faced the Chinese with determination. A scuffle ensued in this face-off. The Indian Army bravely stopped the PLA from encroaching on our territory and forced them to return to their posts. Some soldiers from both sides were injured in this skirmish," he had said.

Singh had assured the House that none of the Indian soldiers have either died or been seriously injured in the incident.

"Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers went back to their locations," the minister had emphasised.

This is the first reported clash between Indian and Chinese troops since skirmishes at Eastern Ladakh.

The worst of these clashes broke out at Galwan Valley in June 2020, when 20 Indian soldiers were martyred and over 40 Chinese soldiers were killed or injured.

The incident set off a series of confrontations between the two nations, including one at the South Bank of Pangong Lake.

After multiple commanders-level talks, Indian and Chinese troops pulled back from key points including Gogra-Hot Springs in Ladakh.