Congress, Anand Sharma, NSA talks, Pakistan

The Congress Party on Saturday said that the government lacks clarity, coherent approach or a roadmap in resolving issues with Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference here this morning, Congress leader Anand Sharma said, "Diplomacy and statecraft are serious issues; this government lacks a coherent approach, clarity or a roadmap in resolving issues with Pakistan."

Sharma advised the government to proceed only if there are deliverables from the Pakistani establishment.

"The government should only proceed if there are going to be deliverables, which we doubt. Our advice to government is to be cautious and by default do not help the Pakistani propaganda," warned Sharma.

Anand Sharma said that the present condition has raised fundamental questions and his party is concerned and upset with these developments.

"The situation has raised fundamental questions. We are concerned, saddened and embarrassed by these developments. This is a matter of India's dignity, pride and position on the issue of terrorism," Sharma said.

Mounting pressure on the government to call off the NSA-level talks, the Congress leader said that the nation must speak in one voice on the issue of terrorism.

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"India has to speak in one voice when it comes to the issue of terrorism, its condemnation to confront and defeat it," asserted Sharma.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday sent a strong message to Pakistan, insisting that there are only two stakeholders in the talks between India and Pakistan and added that New Delhi is committed to discuss the issues peacefully and bilaterally.

"India remains committed to discussing issues with Pakistan peacefully and bilaterally. Unilateral impositions of new conditions and distortions of the agreed agenda cannot be the basis for going forward," MEA spokesperson Vikas Swaroop said.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Office has said that it would be impossible for the country to accept the advice of the Government on India that Sartaj Aziz, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security, may not meet the Hurriyat leaders.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is scheduled to meet his Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz for the talks in the national capital on Monday.