The scene was no different in the Rajya Sabha as political parties cutting across party lines strongly condemned the killing of the five Indian soldiers and demanded a befitting reply should be given to Pakistan. They also emphasised the need to review its foreign policy.
Participating in debate after Defence Minister AK Antony’s statement, leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said, “There is a need to modulate our foreign policy to send a message to Pak
istan that these kinds of attacks will not be tolerated. India must not take it lying down. It is time for a befitting reply.”
The ambush is not an isolated incident but should be seen in the context of beheading of Indian soldiers, Sarabjeet Singh’s killing in jail and a series of incidents of cross border terrorism and rising incidents of incursion on the Chinese side, Jaitley said and emphasised that India must not lower its guard.
Referring to plans for a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York next month, he said dialogue should depend on the attitude of Pakistan as the country’s sovereignty is supreme. He said India’s pursuit against terrorism should be uninterrupted and uninterruptible.
Talking about peace overtures by Sharif recently, he doubted whether Pakistan will “walk the talk” as he said “some people felt enthusiastic when new Pakistani Prime Minister expressed desire to have peace with India. But is he in control of Pakistan. Who is in control of Pakistan is a big question.”
Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav said Indian leadership is not capable to put across its views strongly to China and Pakistan which is breaking the morale of the armed forces. He wondered why the Government was “afraid” of hitting back when the entire country was with it on the issue of China and Pakistan.
Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena) demanded that killing of five soldiers should be avenged by killing 50 Pakistani soldiers. Birendra Prasad Baishya (AGP) said that killing on the loC is an insult to the nation and demanded stern action against Pakistan.
V Maitreyan (AIADMK) deplored that while attacks were continuing whether by Pakistan, China or Sri lanka, the “Government was eloquently silent” on the acts of the “so-called friendly nations”. Charging the UPA Government for total failure of foreign policy, he told the Defence Minister “your days are numbered, so take some corrective steps”.
D Raja (CPI) demanded reworking and recasting the foreign policy while Kanimozhi (DMK) said strong steps were needed to check such attacks. “You keep finding excuses for others. This cannot go on. Why are we silentIJ” she said.
Mayawati (BSP) said it is high time the Government should take such frequent attacks and intrusions by Pakistan and China
seriously else the situation would be out of control. She demanded immediate steps to check the attacks and revise foreign policy.
Shivanand Tiwari (JD-U) said the issue should be dealt with seriously while Saifuddin Soz of the Congress said that India should lodge a strong protest with Pakistan that such incidents will not be tolerated.