New Delhi: The Indian National Congress said on Friday said that the unannounced move of Prime Minister’s sudden plan to visit Pakistan, cannot be termed ‘statesman like’ and added that diplomacy must have seriousness and gravitas.
Congress leader Anand Sharma here at a press meet said, “PM who was on a visit to Russia & Afghanistan surprised everyone by visiting Pakistan. He thinks its a master stroke. His External Affairs Minister claims, very foolishly so, that its ‘Statesman like’. We completely reject her claim.”
Further hinting that the trip was well planned in advance, the Congress leader said, “We have definitive information that this was pre-arranged. They met for one hour in Kathmandu during SAARC summit.”
“This PM has not gone there (Pakistan) to take forward the roadmap to engage with Pakistan or build an understanding that would eliminate immediate threats. This unannounced visit cannot be termed ‘statesman like’. Diplomacy must have seriousness and gravitas,” he added.
“How many PMs or Heads of States make such detours to wish b’days? In last 67 yrs, has any Indian PM landed in another country in this manner,” said Sharma on PM Modi’s gesture in which he greeted Sharif on his birthday over telephone from Kabul earlier today and expressed a desire to meet the Pakistani leader.
Sharma hit out at PM Modi and said, “Before elections, PM & BJP had a hawkish approach. During UPA, when PM & President Musharraf met, BJP described it as ‘anti-national’!”
“PM Modi’s approach is frivolous, unpredictable & full of abrupt U-turns. He has defiantly not done anything to promote national interest,” Sharma said.
