The BJP and the Congress have started a fresh round of war of words over the “breakthrough” in Indo-Pak dialogues after a meeting of the respective Prime Ministers in Russia.
While the BJP said the meeting paves way for partnership between the nations, the Congress said the Centre has diluted the long-standing position of India on terrorism. Terming the development as a “positive breakthrough” in bilateral ties, the BJP said the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif is an important milestone in Modi’s vision of prosperity across the SAARC nations in an environment of shared peace. “This process, already under way, gets a significant boost. It also reflects the desire of the people to seek solutions, instead of being trapped in problems. The consensus on the nature of terrorism, on action against perpetrators of terrorism, and agreement to discuss all issues bilaterally, is evidence of goodwill and a commitment to create the harmony that carries a dialogue process forward,” the party said.
“Prime Minister Modi's decision to accept Prime Minister Sharif's invitation to visit Pakistan for the SAARC summit was a high point of the talks. 2016 has the potential of being a historic year in relations between India and Pakistan,” the ruling party said.
The Congress, however, dismissed the “breakthrough” and said Modi deviated from the stated position of the country on issues such as terrorism.
Former Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said the Modi government does not have any consistency in dealing with Pakistan and Friday’s statement by both the foreign secretaries does not offer any breakthrough in Indo-Pak relations.
He added that the “game-plan” of Modi was ill-advised and the move laughable. “Congress is of the constant view that there has to be constructive interaction with Pakistan provided that terror machinery is dismantled and perpetrators of the Mumbai attack are brought to justice.
“The country is in the dark as to what assurance the government has got from Pakistan,” Sharma said.
Fits and starts He added that the Centre’s engagements with Pakistan have been in fits and starts. “While External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said in June that there would be no talks with Pakistan, the PM suddenly has a meeting with Sharif. There is no clarity or coherence in the government. Engagement with Pakistan and our neighbours is important. But past commitments have not been honoured,” he reminded the Centre.
He argued that all evidence including voice samples on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks have been given to Pakistan in the dossier. “This statement is a departure and dilution. We would like to ask the PM why he conceded that we have not given evidence. This justifies Pakistan’s intransigence on the trial of 26/11 perpetrators there,” he said.