Criticising the Narendra Modi-government’s Pakistan policy, the CPI(M) today accused the Centre of holding talks with the neighbouring nation in foreign countries.
“The venue of the talks between India and Pakistan is now being shifted to foreign countries instead of holding it either here or there. India has all long been saying, the issue between the two countries should be resolved bilaterally but, fixing a venue for talks on foreign soil,” CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury told reporters here.
Referring to the Foreign Secretary-level talks put on hold, Yechury said, “Frequent cancellation and postponement of talks is a dangerous trend. The issue should never be allowed to get space for any third party, but resolved bilaterally.”
The National Security Advisors of both the countries had met in Bangkok in December.
Dubbing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy as “VIP diplomacy,” he said people of the two countries should be allowed to meet.
“There is no point if the prime ministers, foreign ministers and foreign secretaries of both countries meet and talk. People on both side of the border should be allowed to meet each other,” Yechury said.
Stating that relations between India and Pakistan must improve, he accused Modi of using the Indo-Pak issue for political gains.
“When there is election in Bihar, you stop dialogue and when there are no polls, the government agrees for talks. This is not acceptable. The agenda should not be political or communal, rather priority should be for the betterment of the two countries,” Yechury said.
“You cannot hold talks or suspend or postpone it as per your convenience. Talks and dialogues with Pakistan should continue seeking betterment of the relationship,” he said.
“As far as relations with Pakistan is concerned, the CPI(M) has always maintained that talks should go on,” the party general secretary said.