Govt. policy towards Pakistan 'disappointing': Khurshid

Amid cloud over the NSA-level talks, former external affairs minister and Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Saturday said that the BJP-led NDA Government's policy towards Pakistan is extremely disappointing.

Khurshid said that the government should have talked to the opposition leaders prior to the talks.

"I don't know what is the purpose of talks and where will the talks take us when we are unable to talk amongst ourselves? Has the government talked to the opposition? Has the government talked to the people who have handled Pakistan's policy for years? Is the government letting those best assets of foreign policy that are available to the government, both in terms of serving officers and officers who have retired. Is the government being able to use them?" asked Khurshid.

"Or is the government now running a policy based on two or three people who think they will pull out a rabbit out of a hat? I am sorry it is a very disappointing policy," he added.

India has said the imposition of new conditions by Pakistan and distortion of the agreed agenda cannot be the basis for going forward with the NSA-level talks.

MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Friday evening that the insistence on meeting Hurriyat as a precondition is also a complete departure from the Ufa understanding.