NEW DELHI, Aug 3:
The Opposition today accused the Government of having no stable foreign policy and asked it to spell out its roadmap to deal China amid the border stand-off which it wanted to be resolved diplomatically.
During a discussion on “India’s foreign policy and engagement with strategic partners” in the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition parties said they are with the government in the face of “unusually aggressive” position adopted by China but wanted the country to be strengthened further militarily to ward off any threat.
The Opposition parties also accused the government of spoiling relations with the neighbours and felt that India should not be isolated in the process of isolating Pakistan.
“As we engage with our partner countries, please ensure that there is balance. We should ensure that we engage with all of them. But we should ensure that there is strategic balance,” said Congress leader Anand Sharma while initiating the discussion.
Sharma, former Minister of State for External Affairs, said there should be no dilution or deviation from the country’s laid down foreign policy.
Referring to the border stand-off with China, he said the neigbouring country is being “unusually aggressive” and the “doors of diplomacy seem to be closing”.
“When it comes to country’s national interests, we stand as one and there is no division. It is clear…Diplomacy must be given a chance. We believe in making all possible diplomatic channels to de-escalate the situation on borders,” he said.
“De-escalation does not mean retreat. It is safeguarding India’s interest,” he said.
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sharma said he had “not uttered a word” on what he has talked with Chinese President Xi Jingping during their meetings in Astana (Kazakhstan) and Hamburg (Germany).
“It is his (PM’s) duty to tell us. He cannot remain silent on matters of India’s sensitive interests,” he said. (PTI)
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