New Delhi, Dec. 7 : Demanding a clarification from the government on ties with Pakistan, the Congress on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs to explain the Centre’s position to the nation as they can’t keep changing their stand with the hostile neighbour.
“We are not against having talks but we are confused as to what is the government’s policy. One day they cancel talks because of Hurriyat then they go ahead and talk in Ufa then there is a cancellation again and now a meeting happened suddenly in Bangkok. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister are not explaining their intention and vision to the nation,” Congress leader Shashi Tharoor told the media here.
Talking about the Congress’ demanding a clarification from the government over its Pakistan policy, Tharoor said that they want peace and supported External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad.
“The nation needs to be informed about the government’s stand. Until yesterday, the BJP supporters on social media were raving about not having talks with Pakistan and look what happened in Bangkok. Sushma ji is going for a SAARC meeting and of course we support that,” Tharoor added.
He asserted that the Congress would fully support the government once they give an explanation to the nation, since it was important to have good ties with the neighbouring nations.
“We don’t want distractions at the border. No country wants to invest with a nation at war. We want peace but with self respect. Not that one day you send terrorists and a diplomat the next day, that won’t do. We won’t protest once the government lists out a measure and clear progress. We want to know their framework and the context of their steps taken,” Tharoor said.
Meanwhile, the government today confirmed that Sushma Swaraj would visit Pakistan on Tuesday.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy also confirmed Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad and said that she would brief both the houses of Parliament in detail on the present status of Indo-Pak relations once she returns.
Earlier on Sunday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar met their Pakistani counterparts Nasir Janjua and Aizaz Chaudhry met in Bangkok and discussed a range of issues, including peace and security, terrorism and Jammu and Kashmir.
The Congress today lashed out at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government for initiating secretive talks with the Pakistan Government in Bangkok, Thailand, describing it categorically as a betrayal of national interests.
Congress Party spokesman Randeep Surjewala told ANI that, “the Congress Party has always stood for peaceful resolution through mutual cooperation and mutual talks, but this (NDA) government did not take us into confidence about the talks in Bangkok.” (ANI)