Despite Congress’ criticism of PM Narendra Modi's lahore visit, State Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday said, “I am all
for peace and have always maintained peace.”
He said this during a
news conference, referring to Modi’s unscheduled visit to Pakistan on Friday.
Mentioning his visit to Pakistan during his tenure as CM, he said, “When I was CM, Indo-Pak games were held. 4,500 visas were issued for a cricket match here,” he said.
“During my visit to Pakistan, I had met Pervez Elahi, the then CM (of Pakistan’s Punjab). We decided to start exchange of doctors, students etc,” he said.
He said, “If borders
are opened, trade will improve and it will be in the interest of Punjab.”
However, he said “On Modi’s visit it is for
the AICC to comment. They have commented and they will comment more.”
Meanwhile, reacting to Modi’s visit, former Union Minister Manish Tewari said the manner in which it was attempted will “undermine country’s national security”.
“Captain (Amarinder) has rightly said that you need to make a distinction between the desire to normalise relations with Pakistan and the manner in which you want to. Its the manner in which PM is attempting it, that is undermining India’s national security. It is undermining our strategic interest,” Tewari said.
“PM needs to tell people what really has changed between India and Pakistan. Have they (Pakistan) decided to handover Dawood Ibrahim to you... have they decided to expedite 26/11 trial...,” he said.