Click to play videoPrime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday fell back on former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's many efforts to make peace with Pakistan while defending the Indo-Pakistan joint statement in Parliament. He said India had to carry on dialogue with Pakistan and that severing talks with Pakistan was not an option. He listed all that Pakistan has done after the 26/11 attacks to counter terror and dismantle terror infrastructure.
The PM said the Government had not compromised the zero-tolerance policy on terror and he added that the dossier Pakistan handed over did indicate Pakistan was arresting the Mumbai masterminds. He also said that no composite dialogue will take place unless Pakistan acts on terror, but that Pakistan's word must be trusted. The Prime Minister also said that the Opposition must allow the Government to verify Islamabad's actions.
Manmohan Singh defended the joint statement saying he exercised restraint on the condition that Pakistan must act against the perpetrators of 26/11.
"It is impossible for any Government in India to work towards full normalisation of our relations with Pakistan, unless the Government of Pakistan fulfills in letter and in spirit the commitment not to allow its terrortory to be used in any manner for terrorist activities against India. The attack on Mumbai last November outraged our nation and cast a deep shadow over our relations with Pakistan. The people of India demand that this must never happen again," he said in Parliament on Wednesday.
He added that his Government did not need to take lessons on foreign affairs from NDA.
"This madam Speaker is the first time that Pakistan has formally briefed us about the results of an investigation in a terrorist attack in India. Madam Speaker, the reality is that this is far more than the NDA government was ever built to expect from Pakistan despite of all cons and pros. So I say this with respect that the UPA Government needs no lessons from the Opposition," he stated.
He added that, "We hope that the trial will make quick shrugs and that exemplary punishments will be meted out to those who committed this horrific crime against humans. We need evidence that action is being taken to outlaw, disarm and shutdown the terrorist groups and their fund organisers that still operate on the Pakistani soil and continue to pose a grave threat to our country."
The Prime Minister also said that other major powers affected by terror emanating from Pakistan are also talking to that country. "If we stop talking to Pakistan, then we have to rely on third parties. Dialogue and engagement is the best way forward," he stated.
He said that the current leadership in Pakistan understands the need for action against terror. "There is no dilution in our stand. We have said that fighting terror cannot be linked to dialogue and Pakistan fully understands that."
When the issue of the nuclear deal was raised by BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, the Prime Minister responded saying, "I want to assure Yashwant Sinha that there is no question of signing the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. I also assure you that out nuclear facilities will be safeguarded."
"It's our belief there won't be a consensus in the Nuclear Suppliers' Group towards blocking the transfer of ENR technology to India because of our clean waiver at the Nuclear Suppliers' Group, inspite of India not being a signee of the Non-Proliferation Treaty," the Prime Minister said.
WHAT THE OPPOSITION SAID
Not to be cowed down, the Opposition still raised some uncomfortable questions in the Parliament debate.
The Samajwadi Party and the JD(U) alleged the Government was acting under pressure from the US during talks with Pakistan. The parties accusing the Prime Minister of not taking all political parties into confidence.
Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh accused the Government of blundering on the joint-statement with Pakistan, saying "the draft belongs in the dustbin".
"What's done at Sharm-el Sheikh cannot be undone, but now you should throw the pact into the dustbin," Mulayam Singh said.
There is a difference in your party's stand and you. This dissidence shows that you are wrong. The mention of Balochistan was a blunder," added JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav.
Meanwhile, the BJP said the Balochistan issue will return to haunt the Government.
WHAT THE SUPPORTERS SAID
Post the heated debate in Parliament, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Kapil Sibal said that the Prime Minister had cleared all doubts about the joint-statement. And there were some takers for the Prime Minister's statement from the left as well.
"As far as Pakistan is concerned, the Prime Minister is in tune with our ideology, we will have to engage in a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan but that doesn't mean India will compromise," said Sibal.
"The Prime Minister's statement very clear and complete. We have been left in no doubt that composite dialogue will not be taken forward if India is not happy with Pakistan's curbing of terror emanating from their soil," said CPI leader D Raja.
D Raja supported the PM's decision to engage Pakistan in dialogue, saying that the only other option was then war.
"What the Prime Minister has said on Pakistan was in tune with our status position because nobody can say that we should go for war. He just meant India and Pakistan should involve in meaningful dialogue to resolve the disputes," he added.
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