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| India-Pakistan |
| Shashi Tharoor: Need to ascertain if Pakistan is serious on talks with India |
| 2015-07-14 |
| [FINANCIALEXPRESS] Sounding a cautious note after India and Pakistain decided to revive their stalled dialogue process, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor today said the government should ascertain the neighbouring country's seriousness on the issue of terrorism while going ahead on bilateral ties. Commenting on the decision for a fresh beginning of talks at an interaction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistain counterpart Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... in Russia, Shashi Tharoor said that the government should first understand how serious Pakistain was, particularly on the issue of terrorism. "We need to know the intention. Pakistain is such a country where the army decides things and, when the army comes into action, then it becomes difficult for the civilian government to stop them," Shashi Tharoor said. "Dialogue is important, but the subject has to be clear. Terrorism is our first priority. If Pakistain is not serious, then what is the benefit of holding talks? There has been no useful cooperation so far," said Shashi Tharoor told news hounds here. He was in the city to address a seminar on 'Soft Power of India', organised by FICCI FLO. Speaking at the event, the former Union minister welcomed the Modi government's initiative to promote Yoga at the international level, but said that "running after a world record" was unwarranted. He also said that the BJP-led government should take a hard stand on such statements by the party's leader which reflect narrow-mindedness. "Some people want to pretend India is a Hindu country, but can India be acknowledged without the poetry of Ghalib, qawwali or cricket?" he asked. On the Lalit Modi controversy and Congress's demand for the resignation of Union Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, he said it was extremely unusual that there was no action against the duo. Under UPA rule, leaders were asked to resign over allegations, he said. Tharoor said that the legal process should continue and the issue should not be forgotten. |
| Posted by:Fred |