Will persuade countries to compel Pak to end support to terror: Cong

The Congress on Tuesday vowed to take determined steps to persuade other countries to compel Pakistan to verifiably end its support to terrorist groups, if voted to power.

In its 54-page manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls titled "Congress Will Deliver", the party said it would persuade the United Nations (UN) to constantly review the list of terrorists and expand the scope of sanctions.

The promise comes amid hectic efforts by India, along with countries such as the US, France and the UK, to get Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar sactioned by the UN.

The Congress hit out at the Narendra Modi government's foreign policy in its manifesto, alleging that it had been reduced to "the whim of one man".

"Our national interest has been the casualty. We promise to reverse these damaging developments and repose faith in our diplomatic corps to advise on, formulate and conduct foreign policy," the party said.

It added that it was implacably opposed to terrorism anywhere in the world and promised to work with other countries to eliminate terrorist groups, terrorist acts and cross-border terrorism.

"The Congress will take determined steps to persuade other countries to compel Pakistan to verifiably end its support to the terrorist groups that it shelters," the manifesto stated.

Later, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, at a press conference, said, "If talks and terror do not go together, why are they talking about the Kartarpur corridor? They should not.

"So, these are attractive phrases...the point is, we have to follow a foreign policy that is realistic and that completely protects our self interest, our national interest -- what we have set out in the foreign policy section.