The Congress on Wednesday attacked the Narendra Modi Government for its "inconsistent" foreign policy, saying it changes more frequently than the weather. Simultaneously, the main Opposition suggested that the Centre must refrain
from knee-jerk reactions vis-a-vis Pakistan.
"This Government's foreign policy changes faster than the weather. It has become almost impossible for our party to track its foreign policy as well its policy towards Pakistan," Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said at the AICC briefing.
The party said the he Prime Minister should ensure that the situation in the Kashmir Valley is brought under control before "talking about other things" like Balochistan. While senior Congress leader and former Home Minister P Chidambaram blamed the PDP-BJP Government for the unrest in Valley, senior party member Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed concern over the PM's statement on something else (Balochistan) when "the house is on fire".
"One day they are sulking, the next day Prime Minister would suddenly land in lahore. One day there are no talks, the next day there would be talks at the highest level," Singhvi added.
"These knee-jerk reactions should stop. We are ready to go along with the Government if there is a consistent, stable, long-term policy on these issues," Singhvi said.
He said that the Prime Minister spoke about Balochistan, but said nothing about the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir. "Won't your remarks sound more genuine and real if you were able to tackle the problem in your own backyard in KashmirIJ The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, your coalition partner, has accused the Central Government for all the ills of Kashmir."
In a statement Chidambaram said the statements of the Prime Minister, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar have exacerbated the crisis. Chidambaram said, he was afraid the way out of the crisis cannot be found by the present Government.
"The Congress, National Conference and, if willing, the PDP must come together to find a solution: firstly, an immediate solution to stop the violence and, then, a path forward that will bring hope, peace and prosperity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
Asked about the Prime Minister's reference to Balochistan and PoK in his Independence Day speech, Azad said Modi should first ensure that the situation in the Valley is brought under control before "talking about other things".
"There have been deaths of a few persons daily, may it be of civilians or security forces... They are our own people. He does not speak a word about it," he said.
A former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister, Azad said Modi started doing politics over Pakistan even before taking oath as Prime Minister by rolling out the red carpet to its Premier Nawaz Sharif. Modi had even attended a wedding in Pakistan. "But he will not say anything on saving the crown (sir ka taj) of the country," he said.