Congress questions govt silence on China's Kashmir comment

Accusing the government of failure in foreign policy matters, the Congress on Friday questioned its silence on China's comment on the Kashmir issue on July 18.

 

The opposition party said the communist country's comment was direct interference in India's internal matters but Prime Minister Narendra Modi or External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj were yet to utter a word.

 

"It is a direct interference in the internal matters of India by China. What is surprising is that the government did not take note of it," senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal told the media at Parliament House complex here.

 

A media report said China had expressed concern over the casualties in clashes between people and security forces in Kashmir and hoped the situation in the valley will be "handled properly" and relevant parties will address the issue peacefully through dialogue.

 

"Neither the Prime Minister nor the External Affairs Minister expressed concern over the statement (by China)," he said.

 

The Congress leader said Modi should have made a public statement on the issue so that it was made known to China it did not have any business to interfere in India's internal matters. 

 

"This is very serious," he said, adding the situation arose due to "lack of experience" of the Modi government in foreign policy matters.

 

Recalling the rule of the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre, Sibal said: "We kept a fine balance in relations with the United States and China, knowing that both were important for the development of the region." - IANS