Opposition parties on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not having a comprehensive policy towards Pakistan and advised him that diplomacy requires seriousness, gravitas and not “theatrics”.
Congress, which has been consistently attacking Modi’s foreign policy, said the Government’s foreign policy lacks coherence, clarity and consistency.
The remarks by Congress and CPI(M) came a day after Modi said India’s efforts for engagement with Pakistan is on with peace as the supreme objective but the forces have “full freedom to answer back” in whatever manner they have to.
“Nobody is against engaging with Pakistan but what we have questioned him (Modi) is about not taking the Opposition into confidence,” said Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma, adding diplomacy does not require theatrics and needs seriousness, gravitas.
leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad took a swipe over Modi inviting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during former’s oath ceremony and thereafter Modi reciprocated by making a surprise visit to Pakistan but what has the country achieved with this kind of diplomacy.
CPM leader Brinda Karat targeted the Centre, saying it does not have a comprehensive policy towards Pakistan. She said it is really a “show-based” policy rather than a serious diplomatic initiative to deal with a neighbour which undoubtedly has been encouraging terrorists groups against India.
“One day you say you are going to bomb Pakistan. The other day your Home Minister (Rajnath Singh) said you are not going to count the bullets that are going to be used against Pakistan,” Karat said, adding that the Prime Minister had gone to Pakistan to meet Nawaz Sharif on his birthday.