archive: Statement issued by BJP Study Committee on Foreign Affairs
Statement issued by BJP Study Committee on Foreign Affairs
Posted by Ashok Chowgule (ashokvc@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in)
http://www.bjp.org/news/jun2699.htm
June 25, 1999
Title: Statement issued by BJP Study Committee on Foreign Affairs
Author:
Publication: http://www.bjp.org/news/jun2699.htm
Date: June 25, 1999
It is not unusual for Congress leaders to strike a rabidly
anti-Government posture on any given issue. But Shri Natwar Singh's
remarks on the G-8 communique as reported in the Press show the
abysmal level to which Congressmen like him can descend to make
political capital out of a national crisis.
Shri Natwar Singh has said that the fact that Pakistan has not been
named by the G-8 shows that they are putting India and Pakistan in the
same bracket. Yet, it is crystal clear to the entire world that the
G-8 has held Pakistan fully responsible for intruding into the Indian
side of the Line of Control. The G-8 has also described the violation
of the LoC as "irresponsible" behaviour on the part of Pakistan. In a
sense, Shri Natwar Singh's interpretation is similar to that of
Pakistan.
It is amazing that at a time when the international community is
appreciative of the restraint exercised by India in dealing with the
Pakistani misadventure and of the success of Indian diplomacy in
convincing the G-8 and others that Pakistan has violated the Line of
Control and thus committed aggression, Shri Natwar Singh has chosen to
live in a make-believe world of his own. His perverse utterances show
that the Congress is yet to grow out of the adolescent years of Indian
diplomacy. The Congress is unable to comprehend the significant
changes taking place in international affairs. While world powers have
recognised India's commitment to promotion of peace as also our
determination to defend India's territorial integrity, the Congress is
caught in a time-warp.
Shri Natwar Singh goes on to criticise the Government for its
"pathetic attempts to clutch on to any straw to get an international
certificate." It is pathetic that he has miserably failed to perceive
the change in international attitude on Indo-Pak issues. This change
is a result of the Vajpayee Government's pro-active diplomacy and
dialogue with a number of countries. Shri Natwar Singh and company
cannot comprehend this change as they continue to live in the Congress
era of a low-profile India unable to rise above the level of Pakistan.
It is also amazing that after spending so many years in diplomatic
service, Shri Natwar Singh is unable to comprehend the meaning of
"internationalising" an issue. The mere mention of an issue by the G-8
does not mean that the issue has been internationalised, more so when
the G-8 countries have maintained that the issue should be settled
bilaterally by India and Pakistan. Shri Natwar Singh's logic is as
perverse as his statement.
(Ram Kripal Sinha) Office Secretary
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