Don't meddle, Parliament tells Pakistan
Hitting back at Pakistan's parliamentary resolution against Afzal Guru's killing, Parliament Friday demanded the neighbour desist from interfering in India's internal affairs and from supporting terror activities. Pak assembly condemns Afzal's hanging | Indo-Pak hockey series called off
Hitting back at Pakistan's parliamentary resolution against Afzal Guru's killing, Parliament Friday demanded the neighbour desist from interfering in India's internal affairs and from supporting terror activities.
Both Houses unanimously rejected the resolution by Pakistan's national assembly but the Opposition also blamed the UPA government's foreign policy, saying it allowed India to be "kicked around".
Pakistan's resolution, passed Thursday, had condemned the Parliament attack convict's execution and demanded his body be returned to his family in Kashmir.
"The House rejects interference in the internal affairs of India and calls upon the national assembly of Pakistan to desist from such acts of support for extremist and terrorist elements," Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha said in identical resolutions.
They reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, was an integral part of India and warned Islamabad to back off.
Recalling that Pakistan had vowed not to allow its territory to be used for terrorism, they added, "Only fulfillment of this commitment can be the basis for peaceful relations with Pakistan."
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said the Prime Minister should not walk the extra mile to hold structured talks with Pakistan, given the latter's attitude.
"Whether it is Male or Rome or Islamabad, I think we seriously need to discuss our foreign policy. Because if India can be kicked around internationally, there is something seriously wrong in the manner we are managing our external affairs," he added.
Minister for state for external affairs Rajeev Shukla agreed to a discussion.
On their part, the DMK and AIADMK demanded India support a UN resolution against Sri Lanka, with DMK's TR Baalu complaining in Lok Sabha that the "voice of Tamils is not being heard or considered seriously by the Centre".
External affairs minister Salman Khurshid assured MPs that India stood for the right of Sri Lankan Tamils to lead a life of dignity and was in the process of taking a call on the vote.