External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid equated Gujarat Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party’s Election Campaign Committee chairman Narendra Modi to the proverbial frog in the well which is confused about encountering the world outside its well.
Addressing media persons in Dehradun on Friday, Khurshid said that the Congress does not consider Modi to be a challenge for the party.
Referring to the tensions along the border with Pakistan, he said that there is no need to get overly concerned with what is happening at the loC as the Government of India has full faith in the armed forces that have the freedom to take operational decisions in the field without interference.
Replying to a question on whether the Congress views Modi as a challenge, Khurshid questioned, “Does it look like thatIJ He is trying to make us view him as a challenge. However, he should first overcome the challenges within the BJP. The national scenario is new for Modi who has been limited to Gujarat so far. He is like a frog in the well which is feeling confused about encountering the world outside. He seems to think that his presence alone is enough,” said the minister.
Regarding the situation on the borders with Pakistan and China, Khurshid said, “We routinely receive reports on troop movements and incursions at times, but we ensure that the situation ends to our satisfaction in compatibility with our national safety concerns. There is no need to be overly concerned about what is happening at the loC as an institutionalised set-up of the DGMO has been provided on both sides of the border for holding discussions or flag meetings if need be. We would rather not put constraints on the Army, but let them exercise their trained free will at the operational level without being concerned about the arguments or statements being made on the issue as the whole nation stands as one,” said the External Affairs Minister.
He added that this was not the time to discuss whether talks between India and Pakistan would be held and what issues would be discussed. A decision will be taken at the right time in the national interest, he added.