Amid aggressive face-off between the government and the opposition in Parliament, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj rejected Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi’s charge that even the Foreign Minister was unaware of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s impromptu visit to Pakistan in December 2015.
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi had said, “Pakistan directly attacked this country in Mumbai. Almost 200 people were murdered and butchered. And what did PM do? Without any thought or vision, the PM decided to go and have tea with Pakistan PM.” “PM didn’t consult the armed forces, he didn’t consult the officials, I don’t think he even discussed with Sushma ji,” Mr Gandhi added.
Mrs Swaraj reacted strongly to the statement calling it incorrect. In defence of her government’s decision, she said that the PM had apprised her after he held conversation with his Pakistan counterpart Mr Nawaz Sharif. Praising Mr Modi’s decision, she said, “I told him that it would be an ‘out of the box initiative’ and he should go to Lahore”.
“After he spoke to PM Sharif, PM Modi had called me to seek my opinion on his visit to Lahore. Had I been in Parliament today, I would have given him an answer right then and there,” Mrs Swaraj said reacting to Mr Gandhi’s statement.
As the Parliament faces stormy budget session, the opposition is accusing the government of “setting the agenda for disruption”. The parliament is divided on a host issues ranging from GST Bill to police crackdown on JNU campus.
Author Profile
- India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.
Latest entries
In ConversationJuly 26, 2024India-Italy defence collaboration can extend to third countries: Anil Wadhwa- In ConversationJuly 23, 2024Italy views India as a key partner in Indo-Pacific: Vani Rao
- DiplomacyJune 29, 2024First BRICS unveils a roadmap for boosting tourism among emerging economies
- India and the WorldJune 11, 2024On Day 1, Jaishankar focuses on resolving standoff with China
