Congress blames Centre over Russia's military excercise with Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Congress today squarely blamed the Modi government over Russia's decision to go in for a military exercise with Pakistan for the first time, terming it as a "failure" of India's foreign policy.

"First time in the history of Russia, they are having a joint military exercise with Pakistan. According to me, it is a failure of our foreign policy," former Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters.

At the outset, Antony recalled that from the time of Independence, Russia continued to be "our dependable friend".

"Whenever Kashmir issue was raised in the UNSC, Russia always stood with India. Many a times they had vetoed also. Russian Armed forces always had a joint exercise with Indian Forces," he said.

After Independence, at no time, Russia had a joint exercise with Pakistan, and that is what is "significant", he said when told about Russia's clarification that it was not holding any anti-terror exercise with Pakistan in "so-called Azad Kashmir" or in any other "sensitive or problematic areas like Gilgit and Baltistan".

Party spokesman Manish Tewari said that Russia's decision showed that the Government of India does not have a policy towards Pakistan. "It is unfortunate and tragic," he said.

Congress leaders have been insisting for quite some time that Modi government's 'tilt' towards USA is resulting in countries like Russia distancing from India.