Aziz remarks: Cong questions justification of Modi-Sharif meet

Congress today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "knee-jerk" reaction in diplomacy with Pakistan and questioned the justification of his meeting with Nawaz Sharif in Russia, after Islamabad sought "more evidence and information" on Mumbai attacks case and asserted that talks cannot take place without Kashmir on the agenda.
"It is very clear that the Pakistani establishment does not want the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror strikes to be punished. With this background, where was the justification to have a meeting at the level of two Prime Ministers? Prime Minister Narendra Modi is answerable to the country," Congress spokesperson and former Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said.

Sharma was reacting to the Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz's remarks that they need "more evidence and information" from India on the Mumbai attacks case and that no dialogue with India will take place without including the Kashmir issue.
Another party spokesperson, R P N Singh, said it was "extremely surprising" that this statement was made by Pakistan, and alleged it was "very evident that they are not bringing those responsible for 26/11 (attacks) to justice".
Targeting Modi, Singh said it is "unfortunate that the Prime Minister has been engaging in "knee-jerk reactions" as far as diplomacy with Pakistan is concerned.

"It is because of this lopsided diplomacy he has followed with Pakistan, we have over one thousand ceasefire violations.

"I appeal to the Prime Minister to take corrective steps so that people like (Zakiur Rehman) Lakhvi are arrested and tried and outfits of Pakistan abetting terror in India are banned," Singh said.
In a turnaround, Pakistan today asked for "more evidence and information" from India on the Mumbai attack case and asserted that talks cannot take place without Kashmir being on the agenda, barely three days after the two countries agreed to re-engage.
Aziz, who was present in the last week's meeting between Sharif and Modi on the sidelines of SCO Summit in Ufa, Russia, came out with a two-page statement before reporters here and took a few questions.

While a joint statement issued after the Sharif-Modi talks said the two sides will find ways and means to expedite the Mumbai trial, Aziz today indicated that it will take some time, putting the onus on India.
Congress spokesperson Singh wondered how can Pakistan make such statement now and said "they had signed a joint declaration. Why did they not say it then. As far as Lakhvi is concerned, Pakistan has been given all the evidences".