Diplomatic blunder to let Sartaj Aziz meet Kashmiri separarists: Rajnath Singh

NEW DELHI: Ahead of a meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ’s advisor Sartaj Aziz and Kashmiri separatist leaders, BJP has criticised the Manmohan Singh government for allowing the talks and termed it a diplomatic blunder. In a statement on Sunday, BJP President Rajnath Singh alleged that despite ceasefire violations by Pakistan, UPA government’s response towards such acts of aggression was submissive.

With Narendra Modi as Prime Ministerial candidate, BJP has promised a tough stand against Pakistan. During his Delhi rally, Modi had expressed doubts on whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ‘had the courage’ to discuss issue of terrorism with his Pakistani counterpart.

Kashmiri separatist leaders have routinely held meetings with Pakistan dignitaries during their India visits. Even when BJP-led NDA was at the helm, Kargil war architect General Pervez Musharraf had held a much-publicised meeting with Hurriyat Conference leaders in New Delhi before his Agra summit.

“After making a failed attempt to buy peace with Pakistan at New York, the UPA government has now allowed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ’s advisor Sartaj Aziz to meet and hold talks with Kashmiri separatist leaders in New Delhi.

Why Mr Aziz is given this opportunity when Pakistan is committing acts of aggression in the state of Jammu and Kashmir? This is something blatantly against the established international diplomatic norms,” Singh said.