On the backfoot and still finding its feet over the remarks by the head of its overseas wing Sam Pitroda, Congress finds itself in the thick of yet controversy in the middle of the Lok Sabha elections. veteran Congress leader and former Cabinet minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has said that India must show Pakistan the respect a sovereign country deserves and advised against the use of a muscular policy against it since it has an atom bomb.
The Congress leader, seen in conversation in a video said to be dated April 15, says India should not irk Pakistan with guns all the time lest a crackhead decides to deploy the atom bomb against us.
“Pakistan is a sovereign nation and deserves respect. You indulge in as much tough talk with it as you like, but at least speak to them. Don’t move around brandishing guns all the time. What solution has that given? None. Relations only get more strained. They (Pakistan) have an atom bomb. What would happen if a madman came to power there? Yes, we too have one but if a madman decides to deploy it at the Lahore station, the radioactivity would take 8 seconds to reach Amritsar,” Aiyar said.
“Possession of bombs is good for deterrence. But it is only when you engage with them through dialogue and treat them with respect that they would not think about using the bomb. But you reject them like children, some madman will come there and use the bomb,” he added.
The former minister further said it is important to understand that regardless of the severity of our problems with Pakistan, India must be seen working towards a solution to it, if we want to become a Vishwaguru (world leader).
“In the past 10 years, all such efforts have come to a standstill. Muscular policy works only when your opponent does not have any. Their muscles are parked in Kahuta (Lahore),” Aiyar, a retired career diplomat-turned-politician added.
The remarks come as campaigning for the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha elections intensifies. The Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has fought and won successive elections on the plank of national security and a tough stand on Pakistan. “India does not send dossiers to Pakistan after its terrorists attack our civilians and soldiers. Ab Bharat ghar mein ghus ke maarta hai,” PM Modi has said at several rallies in the midst of polls.
Reacting to the remarks, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, “Aiyar is only stating the official policy of Congress .. Congress ka Pak prem is crossing all levels now- Clean chits on 26/11, Pulwama & Poonch given recently by Congress after Pakistan officially supported Rahul Gandhi.”