Cong distances itself from Sidhu's remarks, says atmosphere not conducive for dialogue with Pak

The Congress on Thursday said the current atmosphere is not conducive for a dialogue with Pakistan and termed the suggestions made in this regard by its leader and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu as his personal opinion and not that of the party.

"There is a time to act and there is a time to talk. Dialogue can only take place when the atmosphere is conducive for dialogue and the current atmosphere is not conducive for a dialogue," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters.

Asked about the comments made by Sidhu, he said, "If Mr Navjot Singh Sidhu has an opinion, that is his personal opinion and it is not the opinion of the Indian National Congress."
"I stand by my conviction that dialogue and diplomatic pressure will count for a great deal in seeking a long-term solution to the presence and practice of terror outfits that operate within and across the border," the cricketer-turned-politician said in a two-page statement titled "We have a choice."