The Opposition on Thursday accused the Government of having no stable foreign policy and asked it to spell out its roadmap to deal with Pakistan and China amid the border stand-off which it wanted to be resolved diplomatically.
During a discussion on “India’s foreign policy and engagement with strategic partners” in the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition parties said they are with the Government in the face of “unusually aggressive” position adopted by China but wanted the country to be strengthened further militarily to ward off any threat.
“As we engage with our partner countries, please ensure that there is balance. We should ensure that we engage with all of them. But we should ensure that there is strategic balance,” said Congress leader Anand Sharma while initiating the discussion.
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sharma said he had “not uttered a word” on what he has talked with Chinese President Xi Jingping during their meetings in Astana (Kazakhstan) and Hamburg (Germany). Sharma also noted that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had visited China recently and wondered whether after that “a window has opened that this stand-off would be resolved.”
He also said that India should avoid making boastful claims of isolating Pakistan. The Congress leader said it was a matter of concern that China has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan. Sharma said terrorism is a threat and there is increase in cross-border attacks but not a day passes when the life of an Army man is not lost in Jammu & Kashmir. Sharma said it was a matter of concern to India that China and Turkey have offered to mediate between India and Pakistan.
CPI(M) member Sitaram Yechury talked on India’s relationship with Israel. “Our solidarity with Palestinians goes before our independence. Today, you have given up India’s standing in world affairs. All your policies are benefiting multi-nationals,” Yechury accused.
“Why do you do Malabar exercise in Bay of Bengal with USA and JapanIJ Who is the common enemy in the Bay of Bengal for all the three nationsIJ You think that country won’t know this,” he questioned.
Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav in his speech spoke about the non-aligned movement and how India’s foreign policy fared with the US and Russia during the Cold War. “India has changed the geography and written the history too,” Yadav said.
Participating in the debate, nominated member Swapan Dasgupta said one of the self-induced myths in India is that there is a bipartisan foreign policy. He contrasted the situation of 1962 and 1971 of how India approached UN and how India supported Bangladesh, though India had ‘non-alignment policy. About numerous US visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dasgupta said the trips are a continuation of the previous government.
BJP MP Vinay P Sahasrabuddhe discussed the five pillars of India’s foreign policy. “India is not just a land of snake charmers or cattle. India has become one of the best, attractive destinations for investors worldwide,” he said.