Modi government's policy on Pakistan swings like a 'wild pendulum': Congress

NEW DELHI: As the first-ever talks between NSA of India and Pakistan set to be held on August 23 here, Congress today said the Narendra Modi dispensation has no policy on Pakistan and its "so-called stand" swings like a "wild pendulum".

"The policy of Modi's Government and Modi particularly has swung from one extreme to another - from '56-inch chest' and 'Biryani diplomacy' to mangoes. Where is the policy?"

"The so-called stand of Modi Government swings like a pendulum. It is not even a pendulum which swings within certain limits. It is a wild pendulum. There is no policy," former union Minister P Chidambaram told reporters.

Asked about the proposed Indo-Pak talks, Chidambaram said that the policy of Congress party was very clear.

"We support the idea of talks, but talks must be held under conditions in which we can be sure that there will be an outcome from the talks," he said.

National Security Advisors (NSA) of India and Pakistan will hold talks on terrorism-related issues for the first time on August 23 in New Delhi, which Islamabad sees as an "ice-breaking" step though not a breakthrough.

The decision to hold NSA-level talks was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif last month at Ufa in Russia.

The two sides agreed on a "meeting in New Delhi between the two NSAs to discuss all issues connected to terrorism", a statement had said after their interaction.