Cong asks PM Modi if 'back channel' is in operation with Pak

Following Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's statement that they are willing to hold dialogue with India without any preconditions, Congress leader Manish Tewari on Saturday hinted at a possibility of talks between the two countries in a 'covert manner'.

He urged Prime Minister to tell the nation about the 'back channel' being used to communicate with Pakistan.

"What Nawaz Sharif is saying is not anything new, but the fact that he is saying it and he has made two back to back statements, one green lighting the cricket series between two countries and the second is reemphasising that Pakistan is willing to talk to India, is not happening in a vacuum. So Prime Minister Modi should tell the country, is there a back channel in operation with Pakistan. Are we talking to Pakistan in a covert manner," Tewari told ANI.

"Because these things do not pan out in the international diplomacy without preparations, it is not than Nawaz Sharif woke up one fine day and made such statement," he added.

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Sharif had reportedly said that his government is willing to hold dialogue with India without preconditions.

He said this during his meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at Fort Angelo in Maltese capital Valletta on Friday.

Sharif also reportedly said that dialogue with India was key to sustainable peace in the region.