The Congress and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) yesterday lambasted the BJP-led union government over its Pakistan policy, saying it was reflective of its “strategic confusion” and “flip-flop on Pakistan”.
The Congress said it was time for the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to introspect and “rectify the wrongs it has committed”, adding that “the Congress will be ready to offer its advice in the matter”.
“(Prime Minister) Narendra Modi has dismantled the entire matrix of our strategic and diplomatic advantage over Pakistan,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters here.
“The US has lifted the moratorium on sale of F-16s fighter jets to Pakistan. China has blocked India’s effort to get the United Nations to declare Jaish-e-Mohamed chief Masood Azhar a terrorist,” Surjewala said.
“Russia, the most trusted friend of India, has lifted an embargo on the sale of arms to Pakistan. They are also on the verge of starting a strategic relation with Pakistan,” the Congress leader added.
“Pakistan’s sudden move to call off talks with India is also reflective of how the Modi government’s flip-flop on Pakistan has allowed the neighbouring country to set the agenda of the dialogue process,” he said, reacting to Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit’s statement on Thursday that talks between India and Pakistan were “suspended”.
The unilateral suspension of bilateral talks by Pakistan was a clear betrayal of the peace process as well as its commitment to resolve bilateral issues through peaceful negotiations, Surjewala said.
He said the National Democratic Alliance government’s Pakistan policy had baffled its most ardent admirers as well as security experts and diplomats alike.
“Efforts of the previous Congress government in isolating Pakistan internationally as the epicentre of terror have been undone because of poorly deliberated moves by Modi in engaging with the western neighbour,” Surjewala said.
The Congress leader said: “The new space available to Pakistan also tells us about the state of our relations with global powers like the US, Russia and China. In recent weeks, each one of them has been more than interested in engaging with Pakistan.”
Former diplomat and now JD-U MP Pavan K Varma called Modi’s Pakistan policy as “strategic confusion”.
“The pathetic display of strategic confusion by the BJP government towards Pakistan compromises both our national security and international image,” Varma tweeted.
Congress spokesman Sanjay Jha compared Modi to English cricketer Ben Stokes, who conceded four sixes of consecutive balls in the T20 World Cup final against West Indies. Jha posted: “Modi is the Ben Stokes (apologies, my friend) on India’s foreign policy, especially with reference to Pakistan.”
“All myopic thinking heads who sang paeans on Modi’s ‘personal chemistry’ diplomacy are also part of Comedy Central,” he added.
Jha said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Modi government outsources its foreign policy.
“Don’t be surprised if this clownish Modi government, that has caused India the greatest embarrassment post-1947, outsources foreign policy,” Jha said.
Surjewala said that despite repeated warnings by the Congress, the government took a U-turn on the distinction between state and non-state actors in Pakistan who are engaged in anti-India terror activities.