Meeting between PM Modi and Nawaz Sharif just an eyewash, says Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress today dubbed as an "eyewash" the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Ufa last week and said Modi must explain on what grounds he took the "big step".

"The value and importance of the joint statement is not even worth the paper on which it is written, which is clear now," party spokesperson Anand Sharma said reacting sharply to Pakistan asking for more evidence and information from India on Mumbai attack case.

Targeting Modi over the issue, Sharma said, "Prime Minister will have to reply to the nation on what grounds did he do it? What was the assurance which satisfied him to take such a big step?

"There was no reason for the joint statement after the PM's meeting and it being presented by Pakistan in a different manner to embarrass India on the world stage."

He was reacting to the statement of Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, who yesterday made it clear "no dialogue will take place with India unless Kashmir issue is included in the agenda."

While a joint statement issued after the Sharif-Modi talks in Ufa said the two sides will find ways and means to expedite the Mumbai trial, Aziz yesterday indicated that it will take some time, putting the onus on India as he asked for "more evidence and information" from India on the Mumbai attack.

"The statement given by Pakistan proves that the meeting was just an eyewash and the meeting was just for show without any seriousness. The nation has been shamed...," Sharma said.

Attacking Centre over its handling of Pakistan issue, he said, "Keeping in mind what has happened, we can say that there are no guidelines, no clear plans to engage with Pakistan on issues."

Finding fault with the joint statement, he said, "In this backdrop some concrete questions were left like punishing the perpetrators according to law. The economic roadmap between two countries was not mentioned."