Bengaluru, July 5 (Reporter) Union Minister Piyush Goyal today lashed out at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for allegedly making negative remarks about the Modi government’s foreign policy, saying such comments reflect the “frustration and outdated thinking” of a party unable to accept India’s growing global stature. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an interaction in IIT Madras, Goyal said the Congress party was “deeply disturbed” by India’s emergence as a strong voice in the global arena and accused it of clinging to a “politics of negativity.” “I think the success of India, the growth story of India, and the huge respect that India enjoys across the world is deeply disturbing to Mr Kharge and the Congress leadership,” Goyal said. “Every country today wants to do business with India, build strategic partnerships, and trade more. We’ve moved from the 11th-largest economy to the 5th, and are on track to become the third largest. We are the fastest-growing major economy, and we emerged from COVID as a global example. Yet, the Congress refuses to acknowledge these achievements.” He further added, “Kharge ji’s comments only expose his frustration. The people of India have rejected this negativity again and again. Even Mr Kharge lost twice in his own constituency. The youth of India are full of dreams and ambition — and they are with Prime Minister Modi, not with the backward-looking Congress.” Goyal defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s record on foreign policy, saying he has elevated India’s image across the world. “Modi ji has received 25 international honours — including one yesterday from Trinidad and Tobago — for his global leadership. This is a reflection of growing international confidence in India,” he said. Referring to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah linking the heart attack in Hassan to Covid vaccine, Goyal questioned whether Congress leaders were intentionally trying to damage India’s international reputation. “At the peak of the pandemic, when vaccines were unaffordable for many countries, India manufactured them at a fraction of the cost and gave them free to over 100 countries. Instead of celebrating this, the Congress leadership insults our scientists, our pharma industry, and our achievements,” he said. Responding directly to Priyank Kharge's remarks about banning the RSS, Goyal said such statements only expose the Congress party’s fear of nationalism. “The RSS is a nationalist organisation. It teaches us patriotism and service. The Congress banned it before — in 1949 and during Emergency — and had to withdraw the ban each time. This only shows their authoritarian and dynastic mindset,” he said. Goyal accused the Congress of still holding on to an “Indira is India” mentality. “Fifty years after Emergency, they haven’t changed. It’s still one-family rule over national interest. But the people of India have moved on — they want progress, not politics of obstruction,” he said. He also dismissed recent remarks by Rahul Gandhi on foreign policy, saying, “No one takes him seriously anymore. They keep setting deadlines, but India does not negotiate under deadlines. We work based on national interest, not political pressure.” Goyal said the youth of India, startups, scientists, and industries are writing a new chapter of progress. “The Congress party can keep complaining, but they can’t stop the nation’s growth. By 2047, India will be a developed country — and no negative politics can stop that,” he concluded. Goyal's remarks came in response to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-BJP government’s foreign policy was “faulty” and had “earned India enemies in all corners”. His criticism of Modi’s foreign policy comes at a time when the PM is on a week-long tour of five nations...////...