Advani asks government to explain 'contradiction' on Pakistan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Foreign Minister SM Krishna must clarify their contradictory statements on Pakistan, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Foreign Minister SM Krishna must clarify their contradictory statements on Pakistan, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

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The leader of the Opposition cited an interview of Krishna in a leading newspaper where he said "all talks between foreign secretaries of the two countries are futile" till Pakistan takes credible action against the perpetrators of November 2009 Mumbai terror attack.

Speaking during zero hour, Advani quoted the prime minister as saying that the foreign secretaries could meet any number of times.

"The prime minister had earlier stated that foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan would meet any number of times till it is necessary," Advani said.

Demanding an explanation on the contradictory statements, he added that "either the prime minister or the foreign minister should explain this contradiction".

Advani also demanded that "Krishna should say in the house what he had said outside in an official interview".